KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 – Flexibility, assistance, and inclusivity are among the various actions that companies can take to better support and empower women at work, says the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA &CIMA).
KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 – Offering flexibility, assistance, and inclusivity are among the various actions that companies can take to better support and empower women at work, say the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA &CIMA).
In a statement issued in conjunction with International Women’s Day (March 8), the global association for the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) has suggested five moves that businesses can take to provide greater gender equity in the workplace.
“The global pandemic has highlighted the balancing act that women have performed for years managing their work and family lives,” said Crystal Cooke, Director of diversity and inclusion for the Association.
It’s incumbent that organisations recognise the challenges women face in their career progression and support them.
The recommended five moves are giving women staff flexibility, making it alright for them to say “No” when overwhelmed with work, offering them support, ensuring their wellness physically and mentally and including them in important meetings.
The association further said that “the COVID-19 pandemic has forced all of us to change the way we work and manage our lives. Employers should understand the added stress that comes from managing household responsibilities with the demands of work. This will likely require thinking outside the box for equitable and realistic solutions, such as flexible workhours or split days.”
It also called on companies to create an environment where those who are overwhelmed feel safe, and will not feel penalised or judged, for saying “no” to additional projects or responsibilities.
Apart from offering assistance to staff who need support, companies should also look at measures to help their women employees to successfully manage their mental health, stress and energy levels.
The association also pointed out that women were poorly represented in important meetings and called on companies to ensure their inclusion in meetings where strategy, vision, and business critical decisions are being made.
–WE