Women in Work Summit

As we get closer to polling day, let's take a moment to reflect on the progress we've made over the past 100+ years.   At General Elections from 1918 until 1983, less than 5% of Conservative candidates and less than 8% of Labour candidates were women. It wasn’t until 1997, 79 years after women were first able to stand for Parliament, that there was a major increase in the number of women elected, with 18.2% of all MPs being female. Today, 35% of MPs are women.    Has the evolution of women’s rights in the UK mirrored political representation over the decades? Early 20th Century: The Right to Vote The struggle for suffrage culminated in the Representation of the People Act 1918, granting the vote to women over the age of 30 who met specific requirements - think householder, wife of householder or University Graduate. It wasn’t until the Equal Franchise Act 1928, ten years later, that women were granted equal voting rights to men. Post-War Era: Equality in the Workplace Thanks to increased activism, the 1970s witnessed a push for gender equality with the 1970 Equal Pay Act as the first UK legislation in response to the significant gender pay gap (sound familiar?!) and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 reflecting a growing commitment to workplace fairness. 1980s-1990s: Expanding Protections It wasn’t all that long ago that manifestos began emphasising broader protections. A focus on maternity rights allowed women to take time off work to have a baby without fear of losing their job, and protections against domestic violence became a bigger conversation. 2000s - Present: Addressing Contemporary Issues Recent manifestos have tackled issues like the gender pay gap, women’s health, and support for working mothers. Initiatives like shared parental leave and enhanced paternity rights showcase the evolving understanding of gender roles, but we know there’s so much more that needs to be done to close the still gaping gaps. 💪 Let's celebrate these advancements while striving for a more equitable future. #SupportingWomen

Addressing the Gender Pay Gap: Challenges and Progress The gender pay gap has been a persistent issue since the dawn of paid work. The World Economic Forum predicts it could take 131 years for women to achieve equality with men. However, there is hope. Potential Labour Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves vows to close the gap and make flexible working the norm in the UK. Understanding the gender pay gap requires more than just statistics; societal expectations, structural frameworks, and life choices all contribute. Women in Work advocates for flexible working, equal parental leave, and cultural reconditioning to support equal pay. Join the conversation and help drive change this September with WIW. Let's work towards a future where equal pay is the norm, not the exception. #GenderPayGap #Equality #FlexibleWorking #WomenInWork #EqualPay #Leadership

Gender equity at work isn’t just a women’s issue - it’s everyone’s issue. Male allies play a crucial role in creating an inclusive workplace environment and it’s imperative that C-Suite men actively engage in these important discussions.    We’re delighted that Lord Stuart Rose is on the agenda at September’s Women in Work Summit, bringing a wealth of experience in the retail and businesses sectors having served as Chair, Board Director and Chief Executive for major UK retailers such as Marks and Spencer. Currently, he holds the positions of Chairman at Asda, EG Group, and Zenith Automotive and serves as a non-executive director at Time Out Group plc. Knighted in 2008 for his contributions to the retail industry and corporate social responsibility, Lord Rose was also granted a life peerage in August 2014. Throughout his career, Lord Rose has actively championed a diverse workforce, particularly supporting and leading exceptional women. Discover how his proactive approach has contributed to commercial success and why sustaining this momentum is crucial. We need more men in the room. Because this isn’t just good for women; it’s good for business. 📍Women in Work Summit, Kings Place, London 🗓️ 26th September 2024 🔗 Register for your pass on the website. #WomenInWork #MaleAllies #SupportingWomen

Creating a female-shaped space in the workplace is not only morally correct, but also a proven catalyst for increased productivity and profitability. We need policies that recognise the unique health journey and life stages of women, and we need workplace cultures that recognise supporting, advancing and retaining high-value talent as a priority. Why is the Women in Work Summit a must-attend event for you and your organisation?  💰 Learn how to craft an evidence-based case for investment into female-focused initiatives 🗣️ Hear how other companies have moved from awareness to implementation 🤝 Network with like-minded professionals and create sustainable allies  💼 Bring back actionable steps that can be applied to your organisation  💪 Ensure your company is recognised as a champion of women in the workforce "I can’t remember feeling as inspired and motivated by a day’s event in a very long time.” Women in Work Summit 2023 Delegate Be part of the conversation ⬇️ 🔗Secure your pass now via the website 👀Watch LIVE or ON-DEMAND at any time with your pass #WomenInWork #SupportingWomen #WomensHealth

Take a 👀some good advice from The Female Lead and Peanut App

Yes, thank you Debbie Wosskow, OBE for articulating what we, at Women in Work Summit stands for - and why we continue on our mission. A speaker at our event last year, Debbie is a pioneer for women and making change happen faster. Thank you, Debbie, for continuing to support women and for highlighting a more equitable workplace for all. What’s Good For Women is Good for Business.

Despite some significant strides in gender equality in the workplace, the motherhood penalty - wage gaps, career stagnation, stereotyping and bias - remains a barrier for many women around the world. A study of hourly earnings found that on average, mother’s earned 24% less an hour than fathers in 2023 - a difference of £4.44 an hour. A recent article from The The Economist’s Christian Odendahl shares findings from research charting the careers of Danish parents after their first child was born. There was a significant drop in Mother’s pay and working hours whereas the careers of Father’s continued to climb. However, a study that considered a longer time frame suggests a small ‘motherhood premium’ after about 15 years. How? The answer likely lies in the progressive approach to leave and childcare in the Nordics.    Here in the UK, new mother’s have access to 364 days statutory maternity leave, 10 days paternity leave and then 350 that can be shared. In stark contrast, Sweden offers one of the most family-friendly policies in the world. With 480 days’ total leave (1.3 years) offered at 80% pay, most parents can easily afford to take this time and spend it with their new child. Parents can transfer up to 150 days of their leave entitlement to the other parent, but they are required to take 90 days for themselves. This is designed to encourage fathers to spend time with their children during the earliest weeks of their lives when babies typically rely more on their mothers. Nordic norms around gender equality could encourage fathers to play a bigger role in raising children, giving women more room to re-start their career when they choose to.   Let’s look forward to the next government taking valuable inspiration from our European friends so we can work towards a future where motherhood is not a barrier, but part of a more inclusive and equitable workforce. #SupportingWomen #GenderPayGap #MotherhoodPenalty #WomenInWork

🎯Lucy Brown, DEI and Pay Equity Consulting Leader at Mercer UK, highlights the power of comprehensive diversity data collection in the latest of our digital sessions in the lead-up to the second Women in Work Summit at King's Place, London on 26th September. 🧭It’s not only about the gender pay gap; it’s about understanding the full spectrum of employee experiences, Lucy explains. 📲 “In our research, we see that 53% of women feel their pay is fair, compared to 62% of men, one in five. Women don't feel psychologically safe at work. Women are more likely to feel physically or mentally unwell and still feel they have to go to work. And they're also less able than men to be their authentic selves at work. So many organisations are not really looking beyond the gender pay gap – and are therefore failing to understand the dynamics of gender around culture, health, financial wellbeing, and career progression.” 🏹Lucy goes on to explain how the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace has been increasingly recognised by businesses worldwide. ⚖️As the EU’s new pay transparency directives take effect, UK businesses are feeling the pressure to step up. Forward-thinking companies are already planning to meet these new standards, and while the journey may be challenging, the benefits—greater innovation, increased productivity, and a sense of belonging—are undeniable. ⬆️The directive is expected to raise expectations of pay transparency across Europe, and potentially influence UK legislation. To understand more about how organisations are approaching pay transparency, and any challenges that might come with this, Mercer is inviting leaders to participate in its latest research. ➡️Please find the survey link here until 30th June: ⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://lnkd.in/etFr9AJz 🖥️Catch our Women in Work Summit digital series, ahead of the event at Kings Place, London, 26th September. 🔗Secure your pass now via the website 👀Watch LIVE or ON-DEMAND at any time with your pass #womeninwork #WorkplaceInclusion #GenderEquity #data #paytransparency

We, at Women in Work, are delighted to have co-hosted a breakfast at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity last Thursday ✨ The correspondent, author and reporter Julia Boorstin chaired a breakfast of female change-makers at NBCUniversal’s beautiful studio space in the heart of Cannes. Representing were Cindy Gallop, Madeline Di Nonno, Grainne Wafer and Nishma Patel Robb 🪩⚡️ - all powerhouse leaders who have lifted other women as they’ve risen through the ranks. Read more here ⬇️ Thank you NBCUniversal for the opportunity to bring Women in Work to a receptive and enthusiastic audience. #WomenInWork #SupportingWomen

A brilliant and inspiring morning in Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity yesterday hosting a breakfast with our partner NBCUniversal. It was a great session with amazing women all looking to help show the way; stronger together, good for women, good for business. A big thank you to Julia Boorstin, Grainne Wafer, Madeline Di Nonno, Cindy Gallop, Nishma Patel Robb 🪩⚡️ #WomenInWork #SupportingWomen