This year, for Women’s Day, UN Women had an interesting and stimulating theme called #IAmGenerationEquality. The celebration of the fact that the global community is becoming more and more equal becomes a big silver lining hope for the future. The impact of this generational shift can also be seen in patterns of employment, the evolving work culture and future development prospects.
Equal pay, equal contributions
The hiring process and pay scales are no longer based on one’s gender, skin shade, age or looks. Your work speaks for who you are, and that is all that should matter. Reports show that with time, the world has managed to take positive steps forward in eliminating bias based on stereotypes and pre-set norms. This has successfully contributed to an environment that lets everyone perform to their best abilities.
Increased perspectives, increased sensitivity
Earlier, ideas and actions were being governed and directed by members of a particular community. However, the shift towards a more group-dominated approach has benefitted businesses and individual growth immensely. Egalitarian work culture and team composition permit ideas and thoughts to bloom, exposing everyone to a wide variety of information. This not just ends up in profiting your business but helps the teammates look at things from different perspectives. A unidirectional view is no longer at force. It is all about teamwork!
Coworking culture: The future of ‘Generation Equality’
A coworking space becomes particularly helpful for women who are planning to start a business while keeping the costs low. The atmosphere set here, the entire coworking lifestyle harbours creativity and productivity, both centric to run a successful business.
How can you make your workplace more equal and sensitive?
Here is a checklist of a few steps one must actively practice and encourage:
1. Be cautious of the language that you use. Sometimes bias slips in during casual conversations.
2. Educate your support staff and help them get over stereotypes and biases.
3. Have an equality policy and assure your employees that unfair treatment will have consequences.
4. Celebrate people and their uniqueness to help them feel involved and valued.
5. Organize team-building activities to make your team bond and respect each other.
6. Say no to casual sexism. Equal respect for every team member is a must.
7. Be empathetic. People from different communities could be facing different challenges, make sure that you are listening to them and working towards finding solutions.
8. Give everyone a fair chance to speak. Nudge someone who you think is under-confident about speaking in a meeting.
9. Pay special attention while hiring. Make sure your workforce represents diversity.