3 Ways to Empower Women in the Workplace

First and foremost, Happy International Women's Day! In honor of this day and Women's History Month (which occurs every March) I'd like to dedicate this blog post to three ways you can empower women in any workplace.

1. Encourage pay equity by being open about discussing your own compensation with others in appropriate situations

Discussing your salary with others has long been viewed as taboo, but it's my hope that a new generation entering the workforce and an overall shift in culture will contribute to more openness on the matter. Because the truth is, keeping quiet about how much you're getting paid is one way to ensure that you never find out if you're being fairly compensated. We know that the gender pay gap still exists, and one way to combat it is by being open about your salary. That doesn't mean bringing it up every chance you get, but there are appropriate, and respectful ways to start a conversation like this among colleagues.

2. Uplift women's voices in meetings, brainstorming sessions, chat groups, etc.

Do I see the subtle irony in this statement, within this article? Yes. And I'm sure there is a woman out there who has explained this better than me. So seek out those voices, and amplify them! This can be done in practically any workplace setting imagineable. Always give credit where credit is due, and cite your source(s) of inspiration for original ideas.

3. Create awareness about inequitable or discriminatory practices in the workplace

There are many ways to do this, but I think they can be divided into two main categories: direct, and indirect.

Direct awareness would include calling out inequalities and discrimination in real time, as it is happening. This could include bringing up an issue you notice to a supervisor or HR, or talking directly to a colleague if they said something out of pocket.

Indirect awareness can come from things like DEI trainings and workshops. The purpose may not be to address a specific incident, but to raise general awareness.

These are just a few ways to get started empowering women in the workplace. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but more of a stepping stone to get you on the right path. These tips can also be applied to any group that is facing inequality or discrimination in the workplace! Happy empowering!