No matter what industry you work in, male-dominated fields are all over the place. While there has been an increase in women working in more male-dominated industries, there’s still a long way to go on many fronts.
Women make up only 28% of STEM workforces. Even though that’s an increase in the number of women in STEM compared to recent years, there is still room for growth and improvement — in STEM as well as other male-dominated fields. From construction to medicine, there are so many fields that have the potential to become more inclusive.
Every industry and workplace is different, which means companies will all have individual work to do on the concerns their employees bring to the table. One of the most important ways that male-dominated industries can support women is to listen to them and incorporate feedback into tangible action and policy.
When it comes to ways to make that happen, there are quite a few. Here are five ways that male-dominated industries can support women going forward.
1. It Starts in Recruiting
One of the most important steps in hiring more women into male-dominated industries is the actual hiring process itself. Supporting women in the industries where they’ve historically been underrepresented is all about bringing them in, making them feel welcome, and engaging in outreach.
Recruiting in new and innovative places, using inclusive language on job listings, and training recruiters to work against implicit bias can bring more women into the workplace. Of course, workplaces need to implement policies that keep women in the workplace and work towards the retention of all employees, but it starts with getting them there in the first place.
2. Have a Zero-Tolerance Policy for Harassment
This is one of the most crucial ways in which management and companies can support women in male-dominated fields. By having — and actually enforcing — true zero-tolerance policies about harassment, discrimination, and inappropriate conduct, industries can set a precedent for decency in their workplaces, which should always be the norm.
Not only does a policy like this one discourage harassment, but it also helps employees feel safe and protected by their employer. Harassment should never be tolerated, and workplaces that aren’t willing to stand up against it need to do better.
3. Being Transparent About Pay
While this tip works in the interests of all employees seeking equal pay, it can be particularly helpful when it comes to supporting women. Historically, women make less than men — and women of color make even less than white men — so it’s important for companies to hold themselves accountable for rewarding skill in an unbiased way.
On average, white women make 79 cents for each man’s dollar, and Black and Latinx women make even less than that. Transparency about pay makes it easier to offer equal pay to employees of the same rank, therefore eliminating bias.
4. Offer Mentorship Programs
When it comes to supporting the career growth and development of women in the workplace, offering mentorship programs and training tools where up-and-coming employees can work with more established women in the field can be valuable and create a cycle of paying it forward.
Programs like this can be rewarding for everyone involved, and they can develop strong bonds within the organization. Company culture is a part of this conversation, and mentorship from established women in the field can build a more involved company culture.
5. Establish Comprehensive Parental Leave
Again, this is something that can impact everyone positively, similar to pay transparency. But these measures will have a massive impact on women’s ability to climb ladders in male-dominated industries, where employers may not be used to accommodating parental leave.
Many workplace advocates believe comprehensive and paid parental leave should be a right, not a privilege. And while there are multiple sides to this discussion, establishing paid maternity and paternity leave can help create a more equal workplace for all of the employees there. The lack of paid maternity leave can discourage women from entering many different fields. Therefore, offering it is crucial for bringing women into the workplace.
Additionally, offering equal and fair paternity leave puts everybody on equal footing. Everyone’s family situation is different. And in this modern era, it makes sense to offer options that work with any family structure.
Supporting Women in Male-Dominated Fields
There has been so much progress made in recent years when it comes to bringing women into the workplace in more male-dominated fields. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of work left to do.
Everyone’s workplace is different, and at the end of the day, it comes down to listening to the real women you have in your workplace to make a difference. From pay transparency to training and mentorship programs, there are so many ways that male-dominated industries can support women and create a more diverse workforce.
