Concrete action steps to ensure gender equality

People are naturally prone to stereotyping. Gender stereotypes are especially hard to break. As an HR manager, look how to

• overcome vertical and horizontal job segregation;

• overcome stereotypes and building an equality environment;

• ensure sustainable flexibility and reconciling work with family and social life.

Here are some concrete action steps an HR manager can take to ensure gender equality:

Recruitment

Review job advertisements encouraging both men and women to apply for the position.
Set quantitative recruitment goals to support gender equality.
Widen your recruitment pool.
Run recruitment campaigns in universities and colleges to attract women applicants to areas that have been generally destined for men such as tech jobs.
Review job descriptions and job requirements and make sure that they don’t favor one category over another.
Place greater value on soft skills and abilities.
Ensure transparent selection procedures that focus on individual qualities and aptitudes.
Make sure that the applicants are assessed exclusively on the job requirements.
Request interviewers to justify the basis for their selection.

Professional development

Offer training for all employees at the point of entry.
Invest in tailored and individualized training and development.
Develop training initiatives aimed at increasing assertiveness.
Provide different forms of mentoring to support the development of women for leadership roles.
Change the traditional career structure to a non-linear one.

Working environment

Integrate equality into the overall guidelines and strategic goals of your company.
Offer the same rewards for the same work, regardless of a person’s gender.
Get the pulse of the workplace and listen to the voice of the employees.
Constantly raise awareness about this issue.
Communicate progress and rationale for gender equality
Redesign your workplace to exclude gender division and encourage diversity.
Offer flexibility and support the reconciliation of employees work and personal lives.
Offer a stress management and/or stress management training.
Offer parental leave beyond the legal provisions.
Invest in a family maternity & paternity service.
Offer days of paid time off for child care.

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