March 8 is the 100th anniversary of International’s Women’s Day, and in business circles most of the attention will be on increasing the number of women on corporate boards.
It’s a very important topic, but for many start-up entrepreneurs this issue doesn’t really register. Quite simply, many are not yet at the stage where they need a board.
However, start-up entrepreneurs should not let the day go past unmarked.
A simple exercise is to think about gender diversity in your own organisation.
What proportion of your workforce is female? If it’s low, why is this? Are you spending enough time looking for suitable female candidates?
How do your workplace policies support them? Do you offer or encourage flexible work practices? What childcare options are available?
What is the difference in pay levels between the genders? Why is this?
Are female workers rising up through the ranks in your business? If not, why not?
Not all of these questions will be appropriate for your business. But they all do bear serious consideration.
Get it done – especially today.
