Provide better support for women employees for Women’s Day

WITH International Women’s Day (IWD) just around the corner, falling on March 8, 2021, the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) share methods that would allow businesses to provide better support for female employees.

“It’s incumbent that organisations recognise the challenges women face in their career progression and put practices into place to support their success,” said the association’s director of diversity and inclusion Crystal Cooke.

Among some of the steps that businesses could take to be one step further to adopt gender equality in the workplace:

Be flexible: Employers should be more understanding of balancing the added stress that comes from managing household responsibilities with the demands of work. This will likely require thinking outside the box for equitable and realistic solutions, such as flexible workhours or split days.

Make it OK to say “no”: Create an environment where those who are overwhelmed feel safe, and will not feel penalised or judged, for saying “no” to additional projects or responsibilities. Encourage women to ask for help when they need it and the option of taking wellness breaks.

Offer support: Show concern for your employees and offer them the support they need. Ask the important questions and really listen to responses. Find a way to provide the support needed, which again could be unconventional.

Emphasise well-being and self-care: It’s important for employers to help the women in their organisation and find ways to successfully manage their mental health, stress and energy levels and to take some joy out of each day.

Be more inclusive: Reshape the organisation’s invitation lists and include women and people of colour in meetings where strategy, vision, and business critical decisions are being made, even if they aren’t partner yet. – Mar 6, 2021

Subscribe and get top news delivered to your Inbox everyday for FREE