25 March 2025

Measures to end gender inequality in the workplace

woman, standing and smiling, presents charts in an office; colleagues applaud her around the table.

Table of contents

Although there has been much improvement in this respect in recent years, gender inequality at work is still, to this day, a reality that reaffirms the need for women's empowerment in the labour market.

And although anyone, regardless of their field or role, can help to eliminate the gender gap by changing attitudes and ways of thinking that promote equality, we in business have a responsibility to act.

What is gender inequality?

Gender inequality is the difference in rights, opportunities and treatment between men and women due to socio-cultural factors rather than individual capabilities. This inequality manifests itself in various spheres, such as education, politics, the economy and everyday life, limiting women's access to resources and opportunities compared to men.  

In the workplace, Gender inequality is reflected in the wage gap, occupational segregation and lack of female representation in leadership positions. Women often have less access to well-paid jobs and face greater obstacles to career advancement, especially in male-dominated sectors.  

Moreover, the burden of domestic and care responsibilities still falls mostly on women, which may limit their professional development. To combat this inequality, In addition, it is essential to implement pay equity policies, promote work-life balance, and foster inclusive and discrimination-free work environments. 

How to combat gender inequality at work?

To build an equitable and inclusive working environment, it is crucial to start with a thorough diagnosis of gender equality in the company, The analysis should assess aspects such as the pay gap, female representation in leadership and possible cases of discrimination. On the basis of this analysis, it is necessary to set clear objectives, The company's strategy is aligned, measurable and in line with the company's strategy. 

The implementation of comprehensive policies in all areas of talent management, from recruitment to compensation, is key to ensuring equality. These must be clear, accessible and complemented by awareness-raising and internal communication strategies. 

Finally, to ensure its effectiveness, it is monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are essential to measure the impact of initiatives and make continuous improvements, thus promoting a fairer and more inclusive environment. 

1. Recruitment and selection free of discrimination

In order to ensure a fair and equitable selection process, it is essential to implementing standardised practices that minimise unconscious bias and discrimination. This involves establishing clear and transparent selection criteria, assessing all candidates in a fair and consistent manner, and avoiding the use of language or questions that may exclude or discriminate against certain groups.  

Diversifying recruitment sources is also key to attracting a wider and more diverse pool of talent, using universities, professional associations, networking events and specialised online platforms. The adoption of inclusive selection practices, The use of structured interviews, aptitude tests and psycho-technical assessments, such as structured interviews, aptitude tests and psycho-technical assessments, helps to ensure an objective assessment of applications.  

In addition, it is essential to reviewing and eliminating any gender bias in job descriptions, using neutral language and avoiding stereotypes that limit equal access to employment opportunities.. 

2. Equitable promotion and career development

To ensure fair opportunities for growth within the company, it is essential to implement an objective and transparent performance appraisal system, based on clear and measurable criteria that avoid unconscious and discriminatory biases.  

In addition, equitable and accessible career development programmes should be offered to all staff, allowing all individuals, regardless of gender, to develop their skills and competencies to advance their careers. Mentoring and coaching also play a key role in this process., The organisation has been working with women's organisations for over a decade, providing support and guidance to women in their professional development and connecting them with experienced leaders within the organisation.  

Finally, it is essential to guarantee equitable promotion opportunities, ensuring that all people have the opportunity to equal access to leadership positions and greater responsibility, regardless of gender. 

3. Promoting an inclusive and respectful work culture in the company

In order to foster an inclusive and discrimination-free work environment, it is essential to establishing a clear code of conduct prohibiting sexual harassment, gender discrimination and any other form of unfair treatment.  

This code should be communicated to all teams and have effective mechanisms in place to report and address any incidents. In addition, it is key to promote an organisational culture based on respect and inclusion, where everyone feels valued regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religion.  

Celebrating diversity through events and activities that reinforce inclusion helps to strengthen this commitment. In addition, providing opportunities for networking y mentoring Facilitates connection and mutual support between people of different genders., The aim is to promote a more equitable professional development. 

4. Pay equity and transparency

In order to ensure pay equity, it is essential to implement regular salary audits to identify and correct possible unjustified disparities between men and women performing work of equal value.  

In addition, promoting pay transparency through clear communication of pay policies and dissemination of pay ranges for each position helps to build trust and equity within the organisation. Conducting gender analysis of compensation is key to detecting and correcting biases in pay and benefits systems.  

Finally, apply equitable wage adjustments where inequalities are identified ensures a fairer environment aligned with gender equality principles. 

5. Support for reconciling work and family life

In order to promote work-life balance, it is essential to implementing labour flexibility policies including options such as flexitime, teleworking and reduced working hours, allowing employees to better balance their responsibilities. 

In addition, provide childcare support through day care services or childcare vouchers facilitates compatibility between work and family life. Promoting the equal use of paternity and maternity leave is key to fostering a culture that values the role of both parents in childcare.  

Want to know more about how to implement the strategy to combat gender inequality?  

Edenred Spain

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