You may have heard talk about gender equality in the workplace. Statistics such as the gender pay gap have become topics of debate in the political realm. Campaigns such as Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In movement have sprung up all around, providing a platform to discuss and to some extent combat inequality in the workplace. The bad news is that gender inequality still exists. The good news is there’s something you can do about it.
Combat Gender Inequality in the Workplace by admitting there’s a Problem
Gender inequality and gender bias are alive and well in today’s workplace. Not just in some remote small town mom-and-pop business, but in everyday workplaces all across the world. I’ve spoken to countless female Kelley Direct classmates who experience the consequences of inequality and bias at work on a regular basis. I myself spent 9 years working in a very female-unfriendly environment (think company-sponsored outings for male employees only, meeting attendees being chosen by gender rather than role, being perceived as aggressive when exhibiting the same behavior as my male counterparts, etc.), and I have the [professional and emotional] scars to prove it. In fact, that unpleasant experience encouraged me to become President of the Kelley Direct Women in Business Association. I wanted to shed light on the issues and provide a platform for my fellow classmates to learn, grow, and problem-solve together. (more…)