UXL Blog

March is National Women’s History month, a time to reflect on the achievements of female figures throughout the decades and recognize the contributions of women (past and present). Although women have made incredible strides in the workplace, and have smashed through several glass ceilings, we unfortunately still have some ground to cover to achieve true workplace equality.

For example, pay inequality is still abysmal. The Pew Research Center reports that, “The gender pay gap – the difference between the earnings of men and women – has barely closed in the United States in the past two decades. In 2022, American women typically earned 82 cents for every dollar earned by men.”

Additionally, women are still largely responsible for household and childcare responsibilities. National Public Radio wrote an article on the subject, saying that in opposite-sex marriages, “wives are still spending more than double the amount of time on housework than their husbands (4.6 hours per week for women vs. 1.9 hours per week for men), and almost two hours more per week on caregiving, including tending to children.”

With women still fighting an uphill battle for equal pay, equitable household responsibilities, and fair treatment, how can we make a concerted effort to support and uplift them in the workplace? Here are eight ideas:

1. Encourage a culture of inclusivity and diversity by promoting gender equality initiatives, such as implementing equal pay policies and conducting regular pay audits. Several companies have adopted a policy of transparency that allows all people to see others’ salaries, to ensure pay is consistent and equitable (based on one’s role and experience, not demographics!).
2. Provide opportunities for career advancement and professional development specifically tailored towards women, such as mentoring programs, leadership training, and sponsoring women-led projects.
3. Offer flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options and flexible scheduling, to accommodate the diverse needs of female employees. This can be especially helpful for working mothers.
4. Create a supportive and safe work environment by implementing zero-tolerance policies for harassment and discrimination. Work with your HR department to get started.
5. Establish family-friendly policies, like parental leave, on-site childcare, and lactation rooms, to support working mothers.
6. Foster a supportive network for female employees by organizing women’s affinity groups or employee resource groups (ERGs) focused on gender equality and empowerment.
7. Implement unconscious bias training programs to raise awareness and reduce biased behaviors and decision-making in the workplace.
8. Last but certainly not least, recognize and celebrate the achievements of female employees! This could be through awards, promotions, or public recognition. Encourage a culture of appreciation and recognition for their contributions.

By implementing these strategies, we can create a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment, where female employees can thrive and reach their full potential.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

Tags: empower female employees, margaret smith career coach, margaret smith leadership, Support female employees, support women on work team, support working moms