March is Women’s History Month, and with that in mind, it’s essential to remember the importance of gender diversity in the workplace. It’s especially critical not to abandon strategies to achieve this objective as many organizations adopt remote work practices. Here is a close look at gender diversity in the virtual workplace and the many benefits it carries.
What Is Gender Diversity?
Before discussing the advantages of gender diversity, it’s important to understand what this phrase means. “Gender diversity” refers to the idea of ensuring equal representation of all genders within an organization (men, women, transgender, and non-binary employees) and that all of these demographic groups are treated fairly and provided access to the same opportunities. According to the World Economic Forum, only six nations have achieved gender equality for men and women in the workplace: France, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Latvia, and Sweden. Here are six notable benefits of gender diversity in professional settings:
Larger Talent Pool
Businesses that fail to take active steps toward recruiting female employees are depriving themselves of benefiting from the skills of approximately half the population. Women can help significantly increase your company’s productivity over time.
Different Viewpoints
Many women’s life experiences are substantially different from those of men their own age for a variety of reasons. These differences can bring multiple perspectives and thus lead to innovative ideas to help your business grow. Diversity of viewpoints can also help your company eliminate gender stereotypes, such as the notion that women who take initiative are “overbearing,” while their male counterparts who have this same attitude are “natural-born leaders.”
Higher Retention Rates
If women and transgender employees in your organization feel that they are treated equally to men, their motivation is more likely to increase. Studies reveal that businesses that champion inclusivity generally have higher staff retention rates. According to software company TINYhr, employees who say the overall level of respect in their workplace is low are 26% more likely to quit their jobs, while those who feel they’re advancing in their careers are 20% more likely to stay with their employer for one more year. This, in turn, means you can devote time and resources generally used for recruitment to other issues and opportunities.
Greater Collaboration
Research shows that women are often better at understanding non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and body posture. Therefore, including female workers in groups within your organization can enhance these teams’ processes. Although non-verbal cues are sometimes less easy to detect in virtual work settings, it is still possible to notice them (e.g., in video conference calls).
Enhanced Recruitment And Reputation
If your company is known for being diverse, this is a reflection of strong values. Therefore, its reputation will likely improve. According to a study from PwC, 86% of female millennials say diversity is an important factor for them when choosing an employer.
Greater Profitability
There is ample evidence to bolster the notion that gender diversity helps increase profits. A 2018 report from Gallup found that companies in the top quartile for employee engagement experience 21% profitability. If you wish to multiply your business’s financial gains, hiring more women (for both lower-level and C-level roles) is an excellent strategy to achieve this.
Ultimately, one of the most important things an employer can do to improve gender diversity is transcending gender stereotypes, treat all of its employees equally and allow each worker to have his (or her) voice heard. Despite women comprising approximately 50% of the global population, they only generate 37% of world GDP. It’s time this high disparity is reduced.
Speak To The Gender Diversity Experts
Reach out to the professionals at HR Search & Rescue in Northern Virginia to learn more about the advantages of gender diversity and other types of inclusivity in the workplace. We are an independent HR consulting firm dedicated to helping employees, employers, and HR professionals with several types of work-related issues. Our team provides both one-on-one meetings and crowd consultations to discuss workplace challenges and offer recommendations on how to address them.
The HR Search & Rescue’s team is highly knowledgeable about the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which protects employees from unfair treatment. We are committed to creating safe and healthy work environments for all employees, regardless of gender, race, or position. If you have a specific complaint against a superior at work (e.g., harassment, discrimination, etc.), we can help you resolve your issue efficiently.
Call HR Search & Rescue today at (844) 934-3293 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with one of our consultants.