International Women’s Day: Women of Rossborough Q&A
The theme for this International Women's Day is #BreakTheBias, which focuses on the objective of creating a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination and establish a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive in terms of gender equality.
Inspired to mark this important occasion, we caught up with the women of Rossborough across each of our island offices. From Jersey, we spoke to Jennifer Gouyet, our Corporate Health & Wellbeing Consultant, from the Isle of Man, Melony Molesworth our Corporate Risks Account Executive, and from Guernsey, Vanessa Lee our Account Executive.
Here is what they had to say:
What do you think businesses should be doing more of to remove gender bias in 2022?
Jennifer:
I think that business should be making equality a strategic objective just like any other business goal. This can be addressed during the recruitment process where women are traditionally offered less than men when negotiating salaries, this ideally should not be based on what they were paid for in their previous role, but on what the role within the company is worth.
Additionally, businesses should be investing in juniors within the company as they will be the next generation of directors and managers, removing the gender bias is not going to happen overnight, so changing the mindset of the next generation will start that process.
Melony:
To remove gender bias from businesses, it is crucial to promote an open dialogue amongst teams about the importance of gender equality, gauge their views on how this can be best achieved and devise workplace strategies to help achieve this end. Companies must also strive to promote a culture of transparency, encouraging employees of all genders to share their experiences and communicate openly, without fear of discrimination, about this issue.
Vanessa:
Gender equality efforts should not be purely focused on women alone. The support for women as mothers and men as fathers or any other combination needs to be considered by companies and appropriate policies made to suit. Any pay gap between genders in similar positions needs to be analysed to ascertain reasons for this and processes and / or policies put in place to take corrective action where required. Line managers should encourage their team members to thrive regardless of gender and question any real or perceived barriers.
In what ways do you think gender equality in business has improved in recent years?
Jennifer:
As we are aware great strides have been made towards improving gender equality in previous years. An area that we are starting to see considerable improvement is around women in the boardroom, however to a lesser degree at executive level. At this level businesses need to do everything they can to support women who are typically juggling life events such as having a family and the menopause at this stage of their career, so that they can excel and progress.
Melony:
In recent years it is clear there has been a marked change in the way gender issues and stereotypes are addressed in a business context, with notable cultural shifts such as #metoo helping to bring this conversation to the forefront. There is certainly more focus being given to education and training, which in turn has improved diversity and productivity with more women occupying prominent leadership positions.
Vanessa:
Thankfully more and more companies now educate employees about their own unconscious bias and have clear policies on discrimination of any kind which is imperative… but they mustn’t get complacent. Things are much better but there is still a long way to go in some sectors.
Who do you look up to as an inspirational female leader and why?
Jennifer:
I have chosen Mary Robinson as my inspirational female leader. Mary Robinson was Ireland’s 7th President between 1990-1997 and the first woman to hold this office. As president, Mary Robinson transformed Ireland, tirelessly and successfully campaigning against several liberalising issues both as senator and as a lawyer.
As a young woman growing up and witnessing Mary Robinson becoming president allowed me to have a different perspective of what I as a woman could contribute. It was through Mary Robinson’s kindness and in her passion for the greater good in humanity that I realised as a woman I could be powerful while still being kind.
Vanessa:
Margaret Thatcher will always spring to mind, although that’s not to say I agreed with all of her policies! However, a friend of mine has been truly inspirational to me. She retrained at a time in her career when many would have been afraid to, studied for many years alongside her full-time role, and reached for her goal with such determination and tenacity.
She worked hard to gain the required experience, again whilst performing her full-time role and eventually, despite some barriers, succeeded in gaining a position in her new chosen career. A perfect fit for her, a very worthwhile and senior position too and she continues to inspire me every day as she succeeds and thrives years on.
