By Ashleigh Ruggles, HLS ‘18
- Yes, there is a gender disparity in workplace success
We have all heard it before, and the panel members confirmed it: there is a disparity between the successes of men and women in the workplace. In the US, women are paid 80 percent of men’s salary, even though the education levels of men and women have equalized.[1]
- Diversity Matters
Beyond being inherently valuable, the panel presented studies showing that diversity in the workplace “unlocked innovation and drives market growth.”[2] In part, this occurs because when there is at least one team member who has traits in common with the end-user, the whole team better understands the marketplace, resulting in a better understanding of unmet needs.[3] Also, more diverse workplaces promote employees who feel liberated to contribute ideas, resulting in more numerous and diverse idea-generation.[4]
- Male Intervention Works
The panel presented male intervention as a viable action item for gender allies. If leaders in the workplace are more likely to listen to male assertions, then men should use that platform to put forth women’s ideas (and then give her credit for them). Also, when attempting to convince other men of the efficacy gender diversity, allies should use a business framing (i.e. couch arguments in terms of profits and innovation). Though perhaps not the most ideologically pure solutions, these two moves are pragmatic first steps that the panelists presented in the hopes of eventually promoting the recognition of women’s added value in the workplace, and thus assisting the push for gender equality.
Thanks to Kalana Kariyawasam for his attendance at the event and contributions to this article.
[1] Taking into account all education levels, job types, job levels, ethnicities, and other contributing factors. The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap (Spring 2017). (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2017, from http://www.aauw.org/research/the-simple-truth-about-the-gender-pay-gap/
[2] How Diversity Can Drive Innovation. (2014, July 31). Retrieved February 10, 2017, from https://hbr.org/2013/12/how-diversity-can-drive-innovation
[3] Id.
[4] Id.