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Need of the Hour: Building Gender Equity at the Workplace

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The Great Place To Work® report on India’s Best Workplaces in Retail 2024 report has unveiled a concerning trend in workplace dynamics. While organizations maintain high overall workplace satisfaction scores, there’s a notable gender gap that demands immediate attention. Female employees’ perception of their workplace culture has dropped by 4% , a significant decline that signals the urgent need for more focused efforts in building truly equitable workplaces.

Female employees' perception of their workplace has dropped by 4% - a significant decline that signals the urgent need for more focused efforts in building truly equitable workplaces.

The economic implications of these gender disparities cannot be overlooked. Organizations face reduced employee engagement among female staff, higher turnover rates, and lost productivity. Perhaps most critically, they miss out on the innovation potential that comes with fully engaged, equitably treated female employees.

Building Blocks of Gender Equity

The data reveals an intriguing paradox in workplace perceptions. Both male and female employees report they don’t perceive overt gender bias at their workplaces, with 90% of men and 87% of women agreeing they’re treated fairly, regardless of gender. However, a deeper examination uncovers substantial disparities beneath this surface-level agreement.

In the retail sector, both male and female employees believe they are treated fairly regardless of their gender.

This disparity manifests across several critical areas. Women consistently report lower satisfaction with fair pay and profit sharing, express concerns about management favoritism, and feel more affected by workplace politics. They also perceive fewer opportunities for career advancement. These findings suggest that while organizations may have successfully eliminated obvious forms of gender discrimination, subtle barriers and systemic inequities continue to impact women’s workplace experiences significantly.

Leading organizations have recognized these challenges and are implementing comprehensive strategies to build more equitable workplace cultures. 

Visibility and Recognition

A key focus area is visibility and recognition. Progressive companies are creating platforms where women can share their experiences and stories, ensuring they have adequate visibility with top leadership. These organizations understand that recognition isn’t just about acknowledging achievements – it’s about creating an environment where women feel valued and heard.

Meaningful Onboarding

The importance of meaningful onboarding has emerged as another crucial factor. The report emphasizes that an employee’s comfort in bringing their full self to work is significantly influenced by their initial experiences with the organization. Forward-thinking companies are designing inclusive onboarding programs that address women’s specific needs and concerns. They’re providing early access to mentorship opportunities and creating clear pathways for growth and development from day one.

Leadership Development

Leadership development has become a cornerstone of gender equity initiatives. The best workplaces focus on identifying high-potential women who might not see their own leadership capabilities. They’re creating structured development programs specifically for women leaders and providing sponsorship opportunities with senior leaders. These programs acknowledge that building leadership capacity requires both skill development and confidence building.

Pay Equity Initiatives

Pay equity initiatives have taken center stage in many organizations’ equity efforts. Progressive companies are conducting regular pay equity audits and implementing transparent pay scales. They’re addressing historical pay disparities through targeted adjustments and creating clear compensation frameworks that eliminate bias. These efforts recognize that pay equity is both a moral imperative and a key driver of employee satisfaction and retention.  Women’s perception in key areas of equity and impartiality lags by almost 7% compared to that of their male colleagues.

Women's perception in key areas of equity and impartiality lags by almost 7% compared to that of their male colleagues.

Flipkart’s Programs for Women’s Career Continuity and Growth

Case studies from industry leaders offer valuable insights into effective gender equity initiatives. 

Career Development Programs

Flipkart, for example, has implemented a comprehensive suite of programs addressing women’s needs throughout their career journey. Their Catalyze program offers a six-month development journey using the GROW model, specifically designed to prepare women for leadership roles. The company’s GirlsWannaCode initiative empowers women in technology through targeted skill development, while their innovative Flip Forward program helps women restart their careers after breaks. These programs demonstrate the importance of addressing gender equity at every career stage.

Flipkart's Commitment to Safety, Equality, and Inclusivity

Safety and Retention

Safety and retention have emerged as crucial focus areas in Flipkart’s approach. The company conducts regular reviews of women’s attrition data to identify and address challenges proactively. They’ve implemented comprehensive safety measures, including self-defense training and certified delivery routes, recognizing that physical safety is fundamental to workplace equity. Their custom-built safety applications and infrastructure show how technology can be leveraged to support gender equity goals.

Building a Sustainable Framework

Creating lasting change requires organizations to focus on cultural transformation at a deep level. This involves challenging unconscious biases through regular training and awareness programs. 

Cultural Transformation

Successful organizations are creating Employee Resource Groups that support women’s professional growth and fostering environments where speaking up about inequities is not just permitted but encouraged. The establishment of zero-tolerance policies for harassment and discrimination sends a clear message about organizational values.

Structural Changes

Structural changes play a vital role in supporting gender equity initiatives. Organizations must review and revise policies that might inadvertently disadvantage women. This includes creating flexible work arrangements that support work-life integration and implementing family-friendly policies that support both parents. Progressive companies are establishing clear metrics for measuring progress in gender equity, recognizing that what gets measured gets improved.

Leadership Accountability

Leadership accountability has emerged as a critical factor in successful gender equity initiatives. Organizations are setting specific, measurable goals for improving gender equity and including these metrics in leadership performance evaluations. Regular reporting on progress toward equity goals ensures sustained attention to these issues. Perhaps most importantly, leadership teams are being called upon to actively champion and model inclusive behaviors.

The future of workplace equity depends on leadership teams recognizing that this is not just a human resources initiative but a strategic priority that requires ongoing attention and resources. By making gender equity central to their organizational strategy and backing that commitment with concrete actions, organizations can create lasting change that benefits all employees and drives sustainable success.

Get Certified to Showcase Your Commitment

Achieving Great Place To Work Certification is an excellent way to demonstrate your organization’s commitment to employees’ overall well-being and experience. This Certification not only enhances your employer branding but also helps attract and retain top talent. It highlights to current and prospective employees that your organization values their overall well-being, fostering an environment where they feel appreciated and supported.

By implementing a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration, you can create a workplace where employees feel valued and connected. Certification also provides a benchmark for continuous improvement, helping you identify areas where you can further enhance employee well-being and overall workplace culture. 

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