Women Transform Tech #5: top-performing women are “too aggressive”, gender bias insights from our Head of Events, Role Model Masterclass starts soon

Get your coffee 'cause today we’re diving into some buzzworthy topics.

First up, a Chinese retail chain introduces "unhappy leave" — yep, employees can now take days off when they’re not feeling their best. We also tackle the frustrating reality of top-performing women receiving personality critiques, pushing them to quit. But it gets better…

Be prepared for some empowering insights from Naiara Pupo , our Head of Events & Operations at Women in Tech?Netherlands and Senior Product Manager at TheyDo. Plus, Cloud 9 Meetup is back and the Role Model Masterclass, organised by Selen D. , our Digital Education & Literacy Director at Women in Tech?Netherlands is bound to start.?

Let’s shake up the status quo together!

Tech O’Clock

‘Not happy, do not come to work’: China retail tycoon introduces ‘unhappy leave’

"We do not want to be big. We want our employees to have a healthy and relaxed life, so that the company will too. Freedom and love are very important,", says Yu Donglai, founder and chairman of Pang Dong Lai, a retail chain in China’s Henan province.

Yo Donglai introduced a new perk for his employees called "unhappy leave." Basically, if you're feeling down, you can take up to 10 extra days off without any fuss. It's part of his already generous work policies, which include a seven-hour workday, weekends off, 30 to 40 days of annual leave, and an extra five days off during the Lunar New Year. The idea is to keep employees happy and balanced, and it's sparked quite a bit of buzz online. People are loving the idea of a boss who actually cares about mental well-being.

Around 76% of high-performing women receive negative feedback compared to only 2% of men—and it may be driving them to quit

It turns out that top-performing women at work are getting more negative feedback than their male peers, with 87% of them receiving critiques focused on their personality compared to 59% of men. This isn't just frustrating—it's causing many women to quit. And for a fair reason.

The feedback often includes comments like being "too aggressive" or needing to "tone it down," despite their stellar performance. This bias is pushing talented women out of the workforce, leaving companies scratching their heads wondering why their best employees are walking out the door.

There is SO much inequality in the startup world, and its talked about but never taken seriously

Molly Johnson-Jones , CEO & CO-founder Flexa , says “There is SO much inequality in the startup world, and it's talked about but never taken seriously. Instead, female founders are assumed to be running businesses that aren't VC-backable, or that there just aren't enough of us.”

In a recent post, she share the following statistics:

Flo Health is the world's first femtech unicorn (yay) but it's also founded and funded by men (hmm). It's great that women's health is gaining more recognition, given the vast inequality in funding, research, and focus...

BUT

It also exposes a huge problem with the startup ecosystem.

→ Just 2% of global VC funding goes to women (WEF)

→ Women's presence on pitches is neutral at best and becomes negative when women don't embody typically female traits (Harvard)

→ Investors prefer pitches presented by men - when presented with two identical pitches, 68% funded the startup pitched by a man and 31% funded the exact same startup pitched by a woman (Harvard)

→ 83% of investment committees have no female members (British Business Bank)

Women are discriminated against at all stages of the investment process.

→ Women are asked more negative questions around risk and worst-case scenarios, whereas men are asked about opportunity and opportunity (Harvard)

→ Women have to fight against preconceptions, we are judged more frequently, and held to higher standards (Yale)

Ultimately, people with the most privilege raise the most money, and I count myself in that bucket as I am a white, privately educated female.

→ Just 0.5% of funding goes to black founders (WEF)

→ 79% of VC Seed funding for diverse founders (which is a tiny amount) goes to white women (BBG Ventures)

“This is an uncomfortable topic, but the only way we can improve this system is to educate people about the huge inequality that exists in a sector awash with bonkers amounts of capital”, Johnson-Jones ends her post.

Women Talk Tech

Today, we're thrilled to have with us Naiara Pupo , Head of Events & Operations at Women in Tech?Netherlands and Senior Product Manager at TheyDo. She’s known for her results-driven approach, her ability to turn ideas into impactful products, and her dedication to fostering inclusive environments in tech. With a background in product strategy, AI, and mentoring women in tech, Naiara brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to everything she does.

But don’t take our word of it! Read further to get Naiara’s insights on navigating the tech landscape and creating supportive spaces for women in the industry.

What advice do you have for women who are aspiring to pursue careers in the tech industry in the Dutch landscape?

Go for it! A career in tech is not only fulfilling but also constantly evolving, ensuring job security and endless opportunities for growth. Working in tech means your mind is constantly intellectually challenged by interesting cases, keeping yourself mentally curious and active. The Netherlands, with its tolerant and pragmatic society, is an excellent place to build your career. The tech scene here is booming, with new opportunities opening up all the time.

If you’re passionate about a particular area, start by understanding the business and customer challenges in that space. It's essential to gain experience not just in the technical aspects but also in business strategy and sales concepts. This holistic approach will help you thrive in the industry.

Can you share any strategies or best practices for Dutch tech companies to create more inclusive and supportive work environments for women?

Training on gender bias for everyone, including, and sometimes even, specially, for leadership teams, is crucial. We all have unconscious biases, and becoming aware of them is the first step toward creating a more inclusive environment. This awareness should be integrated into everyday tasks, decision-making processes, hiring practices, team composition, and even product design.

At my company, we have a DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) committee that organises monthly sessions on various topics, from gender bias to educational programs. These initiatives are open to everyone, and the active participation of executives and C-level leaders plays a significant role in driving these efforts forward.

How does Women in Tech Netherlands support women who are re-entering the tech workforce after a career break?

First and foremost, we encourage you to believe in yourself—don’t doubt your abilities! Our community is friendly, open, and organised, with a team ready to coach you and share best practices. If you’re feeling uncertain, you’ll find the support you need here.

Practically speaking, we assist with building strong profiles and CVs, and we actively share these profiles within our network to increase your visibility. You’re always welcome at our events for networking and discovering new opportunities. We also offer programs like the Role Model Masterclass, where you can learn from experienced women in tech and gain the confidence to succeed. Just reach out.?

Everyone has unconscious biases and, before anything else, we must first become aware of them. Once we are conscious about our own thoughts and behaviours, we can go on with the others steps toward creating a more equitable workplace. Gender bias training should be integrated into daily operations, including decision-making, hiring, and team dynamics and the active involvement of executives and C-level leaders in these initiatives is vital for driving meaningful and lasting change.

If you’re also passionate about driving meaningful and lasting change, be sure to reach out to us.

Events & Community news

September 4, 2024 - Cloud 9 is back!

Cloud 9 ??, our in-person community meetup in Amsterdam, is:?

?? a great chance to connect and build relationships within our community

?? a blend of tech talks and sharing personal passions

?? designed to help you expand your network

?? ideal for connecting with those passionate about making a social impact

??? Wednesday, September 4

? 5:30 - 8:00 PM

?? Restaurant het Groene Paleis, Rokin 65, 1012 KK Amsterdam

Details: https://www.dhirubhai.net/events/cloud9bywomenintechnetherlands7231557911250956290/about/

REGISTER HERE to become a member and sign up to join our event > https://wit-h.com/login

Role Model Masterclass

Ready to supercharge your tech career? Our Role Model Masterclasses are more than just sessions—they're your launchpad to professional excellence.

Imagine learning directly from powerhouse women who are shaping the future of tech. These masterclasses aren’t just about gaining knowledge—they’re about unlocking new possibilities and setting your career on an accelerated path.

Whether you’re looking to fine-tune your personal brand, ignite your passion, command the room with your presence, or master the art of giving back, these sessions will give you the edge you need to thrive.

Francia Agterhof, Dr. Margarita Lourido, Joy Adamson, Dr Sophie Jablonski, Lieke (Cornelia) Lamb, Lieke Muller, Selen Demir & Béatrice Blondiau will be the super tech women who are all set to share their success stories with you.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with a community that’s as driven and ambitious as you are. Your journey to becoming a tech leader starts here.

Follow our LinkedIn page for constant updates regarding our Role Model Masterclass and make sure to secure your spot by signing up here: https://wit-h.com/networks/events/123110

That's all for now!

E-read you at the end of September,?

Women in Tech?Netherlands team

This newsletter is brought to you by Cristina Damian , creative & critical thinker. Dissects modern social issues with the precision of a mechanical engineer and the passion of a gourmand. She has co-founded successful ventures in sports engineering and sustainable mobility. Claims she can do pretty-much any marketing and project management activity even in her sleep. Unafraid to challenge norms and biases, she’s on a mission not to empower, but to give back the power to women - in tech and everywhere else. Currently she’s part of the team at Addvals and a NeuroMindfulness? coach for ambitious people. And if you're curious, yes, she handles chaos like a pro and refuses to shrink to accommodate egos — because, frankly, who has the time?