Women’s Safety in the Workplace

According to an estimate by the World Bank, the proportion of women in the labor force comprised approximately 39.17%. They are very close to equal contributions when it comes to the work. Despite the equal contributions, women’s safety and security in the working environment pose a serious concern and question. Today, we’ll discuss women’s safety in the workplace; how to ensure it, and the key challenges.

Women have achieved higher standards and higher ranks in the working environment for the past few decades. They are gaining higher career growth, rank, and positions in the working environment. It has made them independent and they are now taking care of their families.

Key Issues & Problems in the Hostile Working Environment

• Attempted ra.pe and cases
• Spreading false rumors about personal lives
• Sharing questionable content via emails
• Body shaming, unpleasant remarks, stroking, and grabbing without consent
• Discriminating women
• Derogatory remarks

Benefits of Women’s Safety in the Workplace Environment

• Better company’s reputation and brand image
• Lower employee turnover rate
• Reduced absence of employees and workers
• Addressing the unique health and safety needs of women
• Improves innovation, productivity, and morale of the workplace environment

How to Ensure Women’s Safety in the Workplace

Let’s discuss how to ensure women’s safety in the workplace; they’re as follows;

Awareness and Training Programs

It comprises conducting training and awareness programs for employees to promote the significance of a gender-inclusive working environment. The training and awareness program focuses on promoting gender sensitivity, and unconscious biases, and guiding employees and workers to recognize and report inappropriate and questionable behaviors.

Anti-harassment Regulations

The workplace environment should craft and implement clear anti-harassment policies and regulations. The company’s policy defines the limits and lines of harassment, reporting method, and procedure, and promptly addresses the complaints of customers in confidence.

Health and Sanitation Facilities

Companies should make sure that their workspace is clean and build separate washrooms and restrooms for women. Women require fully stocked, sanitized, and fully functional facilities when they are menstruating for their overall health and well-being facility. However, properly sanitized facilities promote the workplace dignity, morale, and confidence level of employees and workers.

Supporting Mothers & Pregnant Women

Companies should develop flexible schedules and working hours for women, as well as facilities for breastfeeding and maternity leave. It also comprises supporting new mothers not just for the sake of regulatory compliance; rather it focuses on retaining and valuing talented employees.

Mental Health Program

They should launch health and wellness programs to improve the mental health of employees. It is necessary to develop a supportive working environment, and counseling services, and have an open discussion on the mental health of employees.

Equal Opportunity

 In order to comply with equal pay and equal work laws, companies should regularly review and analyze their wage and compensation plans to ensure gender disparity. It also focuses on developing equal employment opportunities and conducting training and development to empower employees and workers. However, equal employment opportunity means implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Feedback & Continuous Improvement

Businesses and companies should regularly gather feedback from women and address their health and concerns. Their feedback plays a key role in their growth and improvement. Building and maintaining a healthy working environment is a continuous process, rather than a one-time thing; and their feedback helps them to reach their goals and objectives.

Health and Safety Challenges for Women in the Workplace

Some of the main health and safety challenges for women are as follows;

• Mental Health: managing the house and taking care of kids along with facing workplace discrimination increases the stress and anxiety levels among women
• Maternity: pregnant women get limited maternity and no separate breastfeeding facility; these factors impact the health and well-being of the child and the mother
• Sanitation:un-sanitized workspace increases the health riskiness of women when they’re menstruating; no separate facilities or unclean restrooms increase the risk of infectious diseases
• Discrimination: gender discrimination, wage gap, and biased treatment exist in many workplaces; women receive limited career growth opportunities to pursue further their career; it causes stress, anxiety, and mental health issues among women
• Safety Concerns: women are always at risk of physical harm from their colleagues and while traveling to work; they are prime victims of any type of gender-based violence according to a report by Human Rights Watch; they need to live with this type of reality

Conclusion: Ensure Women’s Safety in the Workplace | Build and Promote Women’s Safety in the Workplace

After an in-depth study of promoting women’s safety in the workplace; we have realized that women’s safety is highly significant for their mental and physical health. If you are learning about building women’s safety in the workspace; then you should keep in mind the abovementioned factors, steps, benefits, and challenges.