Has the Pandemic set Female Leadership Backwards?

There’s no denying that female leaders have had their fair share of life-changing breakthroughs within the past century. From achieving equal voting rights, to ripping up the men-only job role rulebook. Reputations have been transformed from passionate hunger-strikers to confident covid-busters. With each female powerhouse having a stratospheric effect on the gender equality movement. Modern-day activists may not be hunger-striking, post-box burning individuals. Instead, these women have been aligning with passionate intellects such as Michelle Obama or New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern in the continuous battle of achieving equality for the sexes.

We like to think of women in power as representatives of the paradigm shift away from female repression, but are we really there yet?

Research throughout the course of the pandemic proves that we may be approaching an unanticipated series of potholes on the journey towards equality. In March 2020, the once-in-a-lifetime pandemic (taps the wooden table beneath her laptop) led to worldwide school closures and a complete uphaul in businesses activities. Evidence proves that Women’s jobs were 1.8 times more vulnerable to the crisis than men’s jobs. As a result, Covid-19 disproportionately impacted women in the workforce as they were forced to take on uncompensated caregiving roles at home and in life in general. The World Economic Forum had previously forecast that gender parity was 100 years from fruition. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, they’ve added a further 36 years to this calculation! Basically, coronavirus has cast a 36-year freeze over our gender equality development.

With women steering the way in some of the world’s most esteemed organisations, you may think that female leadership trends are on a one-way route to success. Not quite. If women are forced to leave the workplace, we’ll end up with far fewer women on the track to future leadership. The mass exodus of female employees is at risk of sending a message that they are unreliable leaders. Not only does this damage the female representation. It also has reverberating effects for businesses that benefit from maintaining a gender and diversity balance and risks stalling efforts to build a more diverse leadership.

Women bring a lot to the table – different perspectives, managerial styles and different ways of collaborating. Research has shown that firms with more women in senior positions are more profitable, more socially responsible, and provide safer, higher-quality customer experiences among other benefits. McKinsey research has found that gender diversity is key to financial success: Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile.

What can organisations do to counteract the exodus of female employees?

Conditions in the workplace must be suited to accommodate the challenges facing women as they return to work. Pay attention to the training and development of females. Understand their roles as caregivers and being mindful of burnout. The onus is on businesses to remember the benefits which their female employees bring to the workplace. Curated support is essential. Of course, it’s easier said than done, but companies and brands need to invest in education, family planning, digital inclusion and unpaid care work.

Gender parity is about men and women considering each other as allies in the workplace. Reversing the regressive trend requires rigorous action. Participating organisations will be nurturers of future female leaders in the continuous battle for gender equality.

At Kelly, we are all about supporting diverse workplaces.

If you are searching for talent to support the development of a diverse team, find out more about what we do to recruit for a better world by clicking here.

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Navigating Career Crossroads: Your Guide to a Fulfilling Your Next Career Move!

12 Feb, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of the professional world, many of us find ourselves at crossroads, contemplating a change in career or seeking new opportunities to ignite our passion.

September Surge – Our Top Tips for Job Seekers

by Shazamme System User • 07 Sept, 2023

Summer is over. September is here. For you lovers of the summer, this can often bring feelings of the blues, but September can represent a time for a fresh start. This time of the year can offer many opportunities for job hunters to find a new job that aligns with their skills, goals, and experience. Check out our top tips on how you can land your dream job this time around (and why you should work with Kelly). 1. Get Clear On Your Goals First and foremost, you must have a clear objective of what you want for your career. Searching for a new job can bring feelings of excitement and motivation but it can also be overwhelming for applicants. Having an idea of what industries, you would like to work in, the timeline in which you would like to find a job, and the companies you’re interested in will reduce those negative feelings but will also give you a sense of direction and focus. 2. Update Your CV The next thing you should look at is improving and updating your CV. Have you demonstrated your most valuable skills? Have you highlighted your most important accomplishments and achievements? Have you included your personal websites, business profiles, and your LinkedIn profile? These are some of the many things to consider when updating your CV. Job applicants should also keep in mind that you should adjust your CV for every job you apply for. You should customize your CV so that it reflects the job you’re applying for. 3. Work with a Recruiter Are you aware of the benefits of working with a recruiter? Recruiters are experts in the hiring industry. They can help save you a significant amount of time during your job search as they know exactly what jobs are available in the market and they can match you with a role that aligns with your experience. Recruitment consultants can help you improve your CV and cover letter as well as make sure you are prepared for interviews. If you would like to read more about the benefits of working with a recruiter, click here . September is an excellent time of the year to find that new opportunity that you have been longing for. By following these tips, you should be on the right course to navigate the job market and find a role that suits you. It’s important to stay positive during your job search as it can sometimes be a lengthy process. But just remember, the right opportunity can take time. If you would like assistance during your job search, please do not hesitate to reach out and email us at info@kellyservices. co.uk. Or click here to search our latest vacancies and apply today!

Change. How to turn your fear into fuel for a rocket move and wake up in a different reality.

28 Aug, 2023

Rephrasing the famous song, “Love is in the air”, let’s talk about change is in the air – and everywhere. We grow. We change. Look at your childhood photos. Watch your kid, your nephew, your niece. The change is there, and it’s incredible. Nature is constantly changing. We wait for summer as the time to enjoy outdoor activities and gardening, for a quick visit to the beach, or simply take time to relax and spend time with family, friends and loved ones. We wait for winter (even if we never see snow falling) to decorate the house for the holidays, pack presents for the people we love and unpack our own. The colour of the leaves changes, the weather shifts, and flowers blossom in their time – the landscape is constantly transforming. The world around us is changing. We travel to other countries and learn new things, cultures and languages. We take on new hobbies. We get new skills. After a couple of minor kitchen accidents (sometimes), we can cook delicious dishes and get compliments from family and friends. We transform our bodies at the gym or simply by creating the habit of walking every day. We meet new people, we sometimes fall in love, we build families, we have kids. And if you step back for a second, you realise you might have met your other half by pure accident. But you took a leap of faith into the unknown. We embrace many types of unknown change, except for the one that can change how we live five days a week – to change jobs. “I am too old/too young to change”, “I’m used to this environment; It’s my comfort zone”, “Well, I don’t get any promotion, and what I do doesn’t change the world, but it’s stable”, “I am afraid to ask for more interesting projects. What if my manager fires me?”. We often don’t want to change because that step requires a vision, courage, external support, and a leap of faith into the unknown. Scary? Yes. But also promising. A step into the unknown? Yes. But it can open a new door. Do your inner values marry what you do? Yes, it is essential. There is nothing terrible about staying in your comfort zone. At some stage of your career, staying put can be an excellent decision. But if you feel that you need a change – talk to Kelly. We don’t mind going the extra mile and support your wish to embrace the change. The one which will give meaning to what you do, feel proud, motivated and fulfilled. Ready for changing? We’ll make sure your talent can truly shine.