Equality for all in the workplace

This International Woman’s Day is focused on the theme ‘Balance for better’. It isn’t about more of a preference towards women; it is about creating a more gender-balanced world, particularly in business.

Having been a female company owner and managing director for over 12 years, I am in a key position to lead by example when it comes to equality in the internal teams at Bramwith Consulting. The way I have always worked and have instilled my teams to work, is that everything is based on skills, work ethic and achievements. It is our only form of measurement with reward and promotion internally.

When hiring new consultants into our team here at Bramwith, the only factors we consider are to do with their ability to do the role. We give everyone a chance to fulfil their potential and I am proud that we currently have 44% women on our staff, 40% working parents and offer remote and flexible working to all our staff.

Moving the dial through gender pay gap reporting.

There have been vast improvements in the gender equality gap in the workplace and there is still a way to go, but I do believe we are continuing to move in the right direction.

The 2018 CIP’s salary guide showed that the Procurement and Supply Chain Industry gender pay gap has improved significantly in the most recent years, sitting at 4% in 2018 compared to 33% in 2017.

Working together to make a difference.

On International Women’s day I feel it is apt and right to celebrate the incredible women who have achieved so much for us all. I also feel the need to reiterate that change can only happen when everyone is accountable.

I still believe much can be done within organisations, and this is at all levels, to help educate and eliminate the biggest challenge: unconscious bias.

At Bramwith we work to help our clients, consultants and candidates recognise and understand the best way to approach the hiring process and to avoid potential pitfalls.

So on International Women’s day and beyond, I urge everyone to push for a better balance in the workplace, if we all continue doing our bit we will continue to see the improvements.

We have many tips and tools to help ensure the hiring process removes any opportunity for unconscious bias and we happily share these with our clients. Just message me directly at sayub@bramwithconsulting.co.uk orgive us a call on +44 (0)207 1384100 and we would be happy to discuss in more detail.

Saffa Ayub, Managing Director of Bramwith Consulting