Women in the workplace are struggling against burnout and career interruption as they recover from extra burdens placed on them from the pandemic. (See comments for details.)
As a woman, this feels like an uphill climb and to the mentors and allies who want to help them it can make you feel helpless.
But unless we find ways to help women who want to stay in the workforce, companies will continue to struggle with Employee Retention and poverty rates for women (including many single mothers) will remain higher than for men.
What can any of us do?
Ask a woman what conditions would allow her to stay in the workforce and contribute her best? Help her negotiate to get what she needs. Tell her what she’s doing right and tell her when it’s enough
Check your own biases to make sure you’re not part of the problem (asking women to fix themselves is not the solution to systemic and interpersonal bias)
Believe in her and tell her that you do.
Keeping women healthily engaged in the workforce requires personal and systemic change, for all of us. And when we do it, women bring their commitment, creativity and spirit to help us all succeed. What have you got to lose?
How have you helped a woman succeed? Share your experience in comments below.
For more ideas and information for mentoring and coaching women in the workplace, put “PDF” in comments below.
Women are coming back from more job losses, greater stress and increased demands at home, as documented in this excellent article from @Gallup.
