Platform55

Did you know that when women are supported to return from maternity leave, they are 86% more likely to stay in your organisation? Today we're supporting University of Galway by equipping their Managers to manage family leave - for both women and men. Given that up to 80% of the Gender Pay Gap is attributed to the Motherhood Penalty, and as few as 1 in 10 Dads take their full family leave entitlements, this is an important initiative and one that we've been supporting the University with for several years. If you'd like to know more, drop us a DM or get in touch at info@platform55.com. #GenderEquality #Maternity #Paternity #HR

We like breaking records and barriers here at Platform55 and last Thursday was no different. Co-Founder Michelle O'Keeffe 🎢 was Ambassador for Local Enterprise Office Fingal at the #NWED where record number of female entrepreneurs gathered at events around Ireland to celebrate female entrepreneurship. We are so proud to be in the room with female leaders and change makers like Emer Higgins, AnnMarie Farrelly, Oonagh O'Hagan, Lorraine Heskin, Breda McCague and Fiona Buckley And the Ambassadors working so hard on their businesses and nailing it: Niamh Tallon, Alicia Garrigan and Aisling Tuck. Already looking forward to #NWED 2025.

Have you got your tickets to our Platform55 Summit yet on the 7th November 2024? If you work in HR, DEI or Sustainability, this is one you're not going to want to miss. We’re excited to announce Dr Declan Bogan from Goodbody Clearstream as a speaker at the Platform55 Summit! With over 25 years of experience, Declan has worked with more than 200 companies, helping them rethink their approach to sustainability, innovation, and strategy, and has trained over 1,000 people on sustainability practices. Declan will explore how HR plays a vital role in driving sustainability in the workplace, sharing real-world insights and practical advice to help organisations make a meaningful impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from an expert who’s reshaping the future of work! To book your place you can find more information here https://lnkd.in/eK63sgYF This event is brought to you with the support of New Ireland Assurance, Ornua and Kerry #GenderEquality #Sustainability #HR

Have things changed? In our last research - 80% of women said they considered not returning from maternity leave, as few as 1 in 10 Dads took their family leave entitlements, and 1 in 2 said parenting wasn't compatible with being senior. Have things changed - you tell us! Please take part in our short survey and help us transform how organisations support today's family at work.

It would appear we're starting to make progress when it comes to closing our gender pay gap. Across Europe, the gender pay gap has seen a 3.7% decrease over the past decade. The EU’s average gender pay gap in 2022 remained at 12.7% with Ireland with an average gap of 9.6%. Michelle contributed to the The Irish Times special report this week: "There are many positives – new legislation around equality, pay transparency and ESG (environmental, social and governance issues) has led to greater awareness among organisations. It also means that current and future employees are aware too. We are of the belief that ‘what gets measured gets managed’ so in this respect reporting is a good thing. But reporting is more than just stats, organisations must also build a strong narrative around actions they’re taking to drive change, so that such change is sustainable" What do you think? Have you seen a difference where you work? #GenderEquality #GenderPayGap #Reporting #HR https://lnkd.in/eTcw4M-N Picture is of Michelle O'Keeffe wearing a green dress with trees in the background

In our last study, we found that only 1 in 10 dads took their full family leave entitlements, like Parental Leave. Even when it made financial sense—when their partner earned more—they still didn’t feel comfortable asking for it. But have things changed? We’d love to hear from you! https://lnkd.in/efpMzA7A Your input matters, and we’ll be sharing the results at the Platform55 Summit on November 7th. Stay tuned for insights! #Paternity #WorkingDads #GenderEquality

We are delighted to introduce Dr Lollie Mancey as a speaker at our upcoming Platform55 Summit where she will be sharing her insights into the future of work, and what this means for both organisations and leaders. As Programme Director at University College Dublin’s Innovation Academy, she plays a key role in fostering innovation and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. Dr Mancey has a PhD in Organisational Learning and a background in Anthropology and her expertise and innovative approach make her a leading figure in her field so we're looking forward to excited to have her share her insights with us at the Summit. Check out https://lnkd.in/eK63sgYF or DM us as we have a limited number of discounted tickets to share. See you there! This event it brought to you with the support of Ornua, Kerry and New Ireland Assurance. #FutureOfWork #Leadership #HR

*Trigger warning Baby Loss* The path to parenthood isn't always an easy or happy one. So many individuals and couples experience loss and heartache on their journey to being a parent, and it doesn't always have a happy ending. We recognise this at Platform55 and want to acknowledge Baby and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Week which runs from the 9th to 15th October. We provide support on our platform for individuals and their managers who have experienced. But for those who aren't yet Members, here are a few things to consider: ❤️ From the moment that someone sees the positive result on a preganancy test, hopes and dreams for the future begin to bloom. Telling someone who has miscarried 'at least it happened early' isn't a comfort. Its a loss. Acknowledge that. A simple 'I'm so sorry for your loss' can mean a lot. 💙 It's important to remember that men grieve too. Loss is not confined to the birthing parent; everyone affected deserves support and understanding. ❤️ Certain times of the year, such as anniversaries and Christmas, can be particularly challenging for those who have suffered a loss. Sensitivity during these times is crucial. 💜 When it comes to announcements in the workplace, baby showers or new baby news should be shared thoughtfully. Offering colleagues the choice to opt out of participation can help create a more supportive environment. 💛 Allow individuals to guide their own return to work, respecting their wishes regarding how they want to be treated and whether they wish to share their experiences with colleagues. Above all, remember there are no words that can take away the pain of someone who has suffered a loss, but whilst people may forget what you've said, they'll never, ever, forget how you made them feel. There are some amazing orgaisations that provide free support - including Anam Cara Parental and Sibling Bereavement Support. No one should suffer alone. 💔 #PregnancyAndBabyLoss #BabyLossAwareness #Empathy

Q What do Irish broadcaster Jennifer Zamparelli, Michelle O'Keeffe and thousands of other women have in common? A They've all had to leave their jobs because of a lack of support at work. Zamparelli left her role at 2FM as she was unable to juggle the pressure of work and home life. "At the heart of it, I didn't want to go. I didn't want to leave the show. It Was heartbreaking, but something had to give and unfortunately that was it" The full article is in today's Irish Independent (link in comments) Sadly, its a common story. One that we need to write new chapter for. We'll be discussing how organisations can tackle this head on at our upcoming Summit on the 7th November - in Dublin and on live stream. Details are here: https://lnkd.in/erNrwNii Will you help us re-write the story? #GenderEquality #Parenting #HR

LinkedIn friends, we need your help. 🤞 As you know, we’re dedicated to transforming how organisations support today's family at work. As part of our ongoing research, we need your insights. All we ask is for 6 minutes of your time to take our short survey and help us understand what life is like for you as someone with parenting or caring responsibilities. We'll be presenting our findings at our Summit on the 7th of November and your insights will help shape future policies and drive positive change in workplaces. Please feel free to share this link with others - we want as many people as possible to share their views! You can take the survey here https://lnkd.in/efpMzA7A