4 Small Steps to Include Women at Work

Written by Maria Campbell, Founder/Cooks Who Care, edited by CWC writer Julie Kauffman Strong

When it comes to addressing the issues surrounding gender equality in the workplace, the challenges can seem insurmountable. We know the facts: even today, women are lower-paid, lesser-hired and under-appreciated/under-utilized as contributors within the workforce. What is harder for us to see is where any one person can start making a change. It seems like a problem that’s too big to solve.

Steps to start can be taken today and includes you. Women feel socially empowered when they have a personal sense of autonomy, self-confidence, and the power to control their private and public lives.  As business owners & industry leaders, we can start by expanding the ways we encourage and support female leadership by proactively taking approaches that are more inclusive. Together, we can help each other way more than we are today when it comes to empowering women in the workplace.

The tips below are simple approaches that everyone, regardless of their job or title, can adopt and they are all things you could start doing tomorrow. 

1. Be vocal about giving women credit for their ideas. Effective managers and professional colleagues give credit to others. By crediting team members with their ideas, and by acknowledging contributions from all parts of your team, you demonstrate humility & strong team building skills. No one likes working in an environment where compliments seem to be conditional on your status, not your accomplishments. Take time to acknowledge your quiet employee’s work & look for people who are doing good work while going unnoticed.
2. Include pregnant women and child-rearing women. Bring everyone to the table for conversations about new opportunities. A pregnant worker or a mother of young children may need adjustments made to her work expectations, different from other employees, in order to be successful. Making assumptions is a slippery slope. Instead, start asking questions, maintain an open dialogue, and be flexible to the unique needs of pregnant workers & parents on your team.
3. Pay attention to language. Using language that is not gender neutral can leave people feeling left out. Words convey important subtleties. Always choosing a male pronoun sends the message that male employees are the norm & women are the exception. Remove words like 'honey,’ 'sweetie' and 'babe' when referring to women, as they indicate women are viewed as less than equals in the workplace.
4. Master the art of follow up. Whether you’re a friend, colleague or boss, take a few minutes to check in regularly in order to see if success outcomes have been reached. Assist in removing roadblocks that present themselves along the way, and become both an ally & an advocate for positive change. Often removing one obstacle helps others reach their goals when they were one task away from succeeding. One conversation and one phone call to a contact who can assist can go a long way.

You can look at the big picture. Globally, women are making powerful and historical advancements today that will change the economy of the future. This is because barriers are being removed in regards to education, job training, and work schedules that accommodate home life. Women have worked hard to change attitudes, but credit must also be given to the many men who have advocated in support of their female counterparts.

“When women are empowered, they immeasurably improve the lives of everyone around them—their families, their communities, and their countries. This is not just about women; we men need to recognize the part we play too. Real men treat women with dignity and give them the respect they deserve.” —Prince Harry

Gaps close for many reasons. These important advancements for women in the workplace were not made alone. They occur because someone offered encouragement, removed an obstacle or gave a boost to jump the first hurdle. 

So much has been accomplished, and yet there is so much left to do. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world."  As a widely respected leader, Gandhi lived his truth and inspired a movement of peace. You might not think that you can affect change alone, but you can! What Gandhi’s example, tells us is that change can be made by anyone … including you. Taking a seemingly small step can get the snowball rolling.  As we think about the future we wish to create, let’s start by building a better present together. So I ask you, what changes can you make, starting now?

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Cooks Who Care is a supportive network for forward-thinking culinary leaders. A peer group of food professionals and co-hosts connect with each other, with themselves, and with the communities, they interact with. Community members find that their voices are lifted and their experiences all matter. Engaged food industry members connect with causes, wellbeing hangouts, and mentor-led workshop learning sessions. To learn more, reach out to Founder Maria Campbell, CEC, MBA [email protected]