Most of you must remember how the gorgeous Gal Gadot completed the shoot for Wonder Women while she was pregnant. You must also know IBM which is one of the biggest tech companies around the world, but what most people don’t know is Ginni Rometty, the woman behind the success of IBM for the past 10 years.
What I want to say here is that women at work are passionately invested in every field. We are in the 21st century and women are no longer just driving our homes, they are now driving businesses, governments, sports, and any other field that you can think of as well, to new heights. Women are walking head to head with the men.
Let’s highlight how our women are changing how the world works
How women are transforming Workplaces:
- Killing patriarchy:
Patriarchy, a system where men are above women and the sheer dominance in every field proves that. However, times are changing fast, with women handling and managing equal roles and powers as a man. Not just businesses and sports but women are even running countries now, killing the concept of patriarchy.
- Stand strong against the gender pay gap:
Following the above point, women had been undervalued and underpaid until recent years(mind it gender pay gap and equal pay for equal work are different). But every change takes time and the effects are visible as a Payscale report suggests that women in 2015 received around 26% less pay than the men did but that figure has gone down to 21% in 2019(that’s progress).
by Mckinsey clearly shows the rise of women in C-suites roles from 2015 to 2019 to increase from 17% to 21%.
- Leading from the front:
Women have been a part of the working class for quite some time now but what was missing was their contribution to senior management and leadership roles. Not anymore though!!
2019’s list of women CEOs in fortune 500 featured 33 women leaders which shows a clear rise from 2018’s 24 women as CEOs (CNBC report). Moreover, data from Fortune further shows that women made about 15.7% of the board seats some 15 years ago but the numbers have turned and women now account for around 25.5% of the board seats in Fortune 500 companies.
This number is only going to get better.
- Mother and manager at the same time:
Even though there have been misconceptions about women being as effective as men at work, I feel that no job is tougher than the job of being a mother and for that, you don’t get paid. And motherhood alongside efficiently handling the roles and responsibilities at the workplace has made women stronger than ever. They are managing big companies now and driving businesses towards profit. Mckinsey reported that the percentage of women in C-suite roles has risen from 17% to 21% from 2015 to 2019. So women aren’t good managers aren’t valid anymore.
- Creating a healthy work culture, fighting harassment:
Harassment at workplaces has always been a hindrance for working women and it’s time when women are fighting for the same. From SMEs to MNCs, policies towards any type of harassment have been incorporated which has not only changed the current work culture but also empowered women to stand against any wrong.
- Setting an example for other women to stand tall:
Coming out and standing tall as role models to inspire other women has been the best outcome of the ever-changing face of women in the workforce. Numbers don’t lie and from the aforementioned stats, one can see how more and more women are coming forward as the faces behind successful businesses, governments, sports, and possibly every field. Now we know enough about how women have influenced every possible field, so let’s get into a brief discussion of how corporations are respecting what women have done and how they are catering the needs of women and promoting them at workplaces:
- Prioritizing talent over gender to bridge the gender pay gap: Many corporations are now coming forward in support of women empowerment and considering hiring talented individuals irrespective of gender. Not only this, but they have also made strict policies that both men and women will be paid equally for the same role.
- Longer maternity leaves: As discussed earlier, no job is tougher than the job of a mother and to honor that, MNCs from all around the world are offering longer duration of maternity leaves to ensure the better health of both the mother and the child.
- Flexible work hours and work from home policies: Women don’t work the way men do and they need flexibility in work since they have to take care of both their responsibilities, first being a mother and second being an employee. And corporations are slowly and gradually understanding this and allowing flexible work hours to women.
- Large corporations are providing daycare for new moms: Being a mother is tough and even tougher when it’s your first time. Every mother wants to give her child the best care during the growing years which isn’t possible if they are working. However, organizations are now introducing daycare programs in the office premises, making it easy for mothers to take care of their young ones.
- Health plans: Every individual needs health care plans and so do women, irrespective of their gender. Health plans not only insures the women but also boosts her by medically securing her of any health issues. Organizations have learned this and are adopting the same.
- Care kits and relaxation during those times of the month: Mensuration is a time of the month where women aren’t really at their highest and have to go through enough pain and other complications. But corporations all around the world are moving towards making women feel safe and protected during such days, at work. Many companies even offer sanitary pads, medications, and other necessities needed during those days.
- Extra benefits for single moms: Single moms in all senses are the epitome of strength and character and corporations now are recognizing that. Many organizations offer extra benefits for working single moms like flexibility, family-wellness programs, etc.
- Compulsory sexual harassment training, equal rights advocates: Educating women of their rights and supporting them to fight against the harassment at the workplace has seen a rise in the recent past. Women nowadays are well-aware of how to take care of any sort of harassment that is thrown at them.
Conclusion:
Footprints aren’t just footprints, they are the steps that the lost follow to find the right way. Strong and successful women haven’t only made a name for themselves but have also set an example for all the women out there who are struggling to take a stand for themselves.
Successful women not only support themselves and build a name for themselves but also support other women to grow to work and fulfill their dreams. Here are some notable women that can inspire you you fight for your dreams:
Notable profiles of Successful women at work:
- Indra Nooyi, Chairman, and CEO, PepsiCo
- Chanda Kochar, President, ICICI
- Kalpana Chawla, First American-Indian woman to travel to space
- Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook
- Marissa Mayer, Former CEO, Yahoo
Also Read: 10 Best Ways to Use Employee Work Schedule Management
