Tips for Fostering Gender Equality in the Workplace 

The information from this article is based on an interview with Sana Ragbir, Candice Welch & Cynthia Reddock-Downes from “Straight off the BATT”

In celebration of International Women’s Day in 2021, our video series Straight of the BATT spoke to prolific women within the banking sector and male-dominated fields about their experience and advice for young women in Trinidad and Tobago. In our, “Power To Be: Choosing to Challenge the Cultural Glass Ceiling” video we discussed how local workplaces can ensure they are fostering equality with our guest, Sana Ragbir, Candice Welch & Cynthia Reddock-Downes.

Here are some suggestions our panelist believe could contribute to gender equality in the workplace in Trinidad and Tobago:

Utilizing Organization Culture – Candice Welch

Welch stated that “The culture of an organization really forms the basis of behaviours in an organization”. She suggests that organisational culture can bring across changes in workplace attitudes therefore it should be utilized. She says the culture should, “foster fairness and inclusion” and the organization should provide employees with the space for discourse and feedback between employees and employers to discuss these topics.

Transparent Processes – Sana Ragbir

Ragbir suggests that transparent processes when it comes to, “performance standards across the organization” is vital for quality in the workplace. This can be about various aspects of business such as accountability and promotions. She also suggested the importance of mentorship/sponsorship programmes that are equally transparent in their selection process and accountability standards. This mentorship was also a shared sentiment by Dr Gabrielle Jamela Hosein in Episode 10 of Straight off the BATT. She expressed the importance for women to have older female mentors in the workplace as it can help with movement, “hold them close and go to them for everything and that will be your best strategy for advancing in an organization”.

Assessing an Organizations Recruitment Process and Promotion Policies – Cynthia Reddock-Downes

Reddock-Downes recommends that organizations thoroughly assess their recruitment process and promotion policies and specifically analyse and ensure that it reflects gender neutrality in its approach. She said, “This is how people move up and how people are brought into the organization so it must reflect gender neutrality”. She also suggested that the company evaluate their training environment and ensure that it is identifying training that can push the organization and is not dependent on gender.

Learn more about the conversation between Pauline and our guest by watching the video below: