Encouraging Gender Based Diversity at Your Workplace

The OFFCP wing of the U.S department of labour’s rules for non discrimination make it mandatory to hire certain number of women in every organisation associated with the federal Government and in order to honour this OFFCP Compliance it is best advised that gender diversity is encouraged and supported in every company, irrespective of industry.

Supporting gender diversity will not only help to comply to the rule but will also assist in bringing about more assortment in thoughts and an overall new perspective into the working of the business considering women are known to have a softer yet more dedicated and creative approach to work.

Ways to encourage gender diversity:

1.    Always hire employees on the basis of their skills and qualification rather than gender, race and Nationality. Do not underestimate a woman simply because of her gender. If you come across two similar qualified individuals, one man and one woman don’t hesitate to pick the woman, especially so if there are less women in your organisation. By picking her you will be instilling confidence in her and the rest of the women employed with you thereby ensuring increased dedication and productivity.

2.    Have stringent policies in place about women harassment and against general misbehaviour towards women.

3.      Have women friendly amenities, be it a crèche for babies of new mothers or separate rest rooms.

4.      Reward male employees who support and encourage their female colleagues to take up more work or those who assist them without bias.

5.      Ensure that women are hired in managerial positions and in higher level jobs as well and not only in subordinate roles. Women make great leaders if given the perfect opportunity. Moreover they are great at juggling multiple roles since most of them are used to balancing a home and work life for years.

6.      Make teams such that men and women are forced to work together. Men will automatically learn to be more empathetic and even more respectful towards women at wor.

Any contracting and sub contracting firms that do business with the Federal government will be taught in their OFCCP training to take affirmative action to employ women under the equal opportunity clause. Thus by taking these steps and encouraging gender diversity, you are sure to clear the OFCCP audit.