When it comes to #InternationalWomnensDay workplaces find themselves wondering how they can support women and celebrate #IWD2024 in a meaningful way?
If there is one thing that workplaces can do to support women it’s review your workplace policies to ensure they are supportive and empowering to women. But how…? You ask them, and then actively listen. You will likely find that the changes they hope for are reasonable, feasible, and well within the capacity of the organisation.
To be clear, you ask them if they would like to be included, or how it might be supportive to them to engage in a policy development or review because it is not the responsibility of women to ensure that workplace policies meets the needs of employees. This would be an additional burden to women which they do not have the responsibility to carry. So, ensuring that it is clear that their opinion matters and they are welcome to input without obligation is key.
It's important to remember that every persons experience is different and bringing a range of different voices into consideration will make for better policy, and can eliminate barriers.
Employing an intersectional feminist analysis will be a useful tool, alongside the voices of those who identify as women to guide policy. There are many resources available online. For example, Women's Aid support workplaces with Domestic Violence Leave policy (DVatWork.ie) led out by the wonderful Hannah Wayte, and are providing free training to multi-disciplinary clinical staff in our 6 pilot maternity hospitals as part of our Maternity Project (email training@womensaid.ie) led out by the fantastic Gillian Dennehy, and also have free resources for those working with young people (TooIntoYou.ie) led out by the incredible Mary Hayes.
Changing policies is only the first step to the bigger challenge of culture change and developing wrap around supports which are essential to ensuring that your workplace is supportive and empowering to women. This first step can demonstrate that as a workplace you are making the commitment, and it gives those employed by you a framework to utilize and build supportive structures, processes and culture.
With staff retention being a challenge for many workplaces, this is one step that you can take to mitigate employees leaving while improving the lives of women, and the lives of the people (and pets) around them. We are all aware of the high cost of staff turnover, so why not make a change that will benefit everyone?
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6moCongratulations to all of the amazing Melaleuca Ladies, Mom's, Grandmoms and Wives. We appreciate you and honor you. Thank you for making Melaleuca an amazing place to work.