# A Gen Z Approach to Gender Diversity Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2022-03-29 Category: BUSINESS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business Meta Title: The Impact of Gen Z on Gender Diversity in the Workplace Meta Description: Learn why Gen Z is leading the charge for diversity in the workplace and how your business can create an inclusive culture to stay ahead of the curve. URL: https://financedigest.com/a-gen-z-approach-to-gender-diversityhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/graphicstock-business-team-1736815927634-compressed.jpg) _By_ **_Lissele Pratt,_** _Director & co-founder, Capitalixe_ ![](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/20211109-lissele-pratt-almada-38-450x675-1736815927607-compressed.jpg) While many Gen Z’s have not yet stepped foot in the working world, they already stand out as a force of diversity advocates. Why? Well, for one thing, they are growing up in a world where there has been greater exposure to diversity than any other generation before them. From powerful movements like #MeToo and #Timesup to an increase in sexual identities and fluidity, Gen Z is the first generation to have experienced a uniquely diverse world. According to [HeforShe](https://www.heforshe.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/lewis-genz-report-final.pdf), gender equality is one of the top four most cared about issues for Gen Zs across the world. With that exposure comes increasing pressure to address these issues head-on. So, what does this mean for businesses? As the Gen Z population continues to enter the workforce, we can expect to see a break in the glass ceiling on diversity. Gender parity will start to become the norm as more and more Gen Z employees demand it in their workplaces. Of course, simply hiring a more [diverse workforce is not enough to create an inclusive](https://www.financedigest.com/holding-a-mirror-up-to-the-finance-industry-on-diversity-equity-inclusion-dei.html "Holding a mirror up to the finance industry on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)") culture. To really embrace [gender diversity](https://www.financedigest.com/breaking-down-venture-capitals-gender-and-diversity-barriers.html "Breaking down Venture Capital’s gender and diversity barriers"), businesses need to do more than just check the boxes. They need to foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable being their true selves. Here are a few [key things your business can do to make sure you’re ahead](https://www.financedigest.com/sterling-edges-lower-ahead-of-key-data.html "Sterling edges lower ahead of key data") of the curve on gender diversity: **[Educate yourself and your team](https://www.financedigest.com/hcss-education-bolsters-consultant-team-with-education-expertise.html "HCSS Education bolsters consultant team with education expertise") on the issues** The first [step to tackling any problem is to educate yourself and your team](https://www.financedigest.com/improving-your-it-team-in-four-simple-steps.html "Improving your IT team in four simple steps") on the issue. This is especially important when it comes to something as sensitive as gender diversity. You [need to make sure](https://www.financedigest.com/need-additional-funding-but-not-sure-how-to-go-about-it.html "Need additional funding but not sure how to go about it?") everyone is on the same page and understands the weight of the issue. Make sure you’re up-to-date on the latest statistics, research and trends when it comes to gender diversity. And don’t be afraid to ask questions! The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to make a change. **Be aware of your own biases** As humans, we are all biassed in some way or another. It’s important to be [aware of your personal biases to avoid letting them impact](https://www.financedigest.com/sap-boosts-brand-awareness-using-gumgums-high-impact-ad-formats-and-veritytm-gumgums-advanced-contextual-targeting-solution.html "SAP boosts brand awareness using GumGum’s high impact ad formats and VerityTM, GumGum’s advanced contextual targeting solution") your decisions. For example, if you’re a man in a position of power, you may be inadvertently biassed against women. It’s not intentional, but it can happen without you even realising it. The key is to be aware of your own biases and make an effort to check them. **Create an open and inclusive environment** An open and inclusive [environment is key](https://www.financedigest.com/compliance-is-key-in-the-work-from-home-environment.html "Compliance Is Key In The Work-From-Home Environment") to embracing gender diversity. This means creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable being their true selves. This starts with your company culture. Make sure you [promote a culture](https://www.financedigest.com/promoting-a-learning-culture-in-the-workplace.html "Promoting a learning culture in the workplace") of inclusion where differences are celebrated. And don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk! Practice what you preach and show your employees that you value diversity. [The Center for Creative Leadership](https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/7-reasons-want-women-workplace/#:~:text=Women%20Want%20Flexibility%20in%20Where%2C%20When%20%26%20How%20They%20Work&text=Paid%20time%20off%20was%20rated,move%20up%20in%20the%20organization.) found that women wanted a calling, not just a regular 9-5 job, flexibility in where, when & how they work and access to real leadership opportunities. With this in mind, businesses should be adapting their [work environments to better meet](https://www.financedigest.com/meetings-in-the-metaverse-how-likely-is-this-the-future-of-work.html "Meetings in the metaverse – how likely is this the future of work?") these needs. **Acknowledge and address discrimination and harassment** Sadly, [discrimination and harassment are still all too common in the workplace](https://www.financedigest.com/norway-wealth-fund-employee-sues-for-workplace-gender-discrimination.html "Norway wealth fund employee sues for workplace gender discrimination"). If you see or hear anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s important to speak up. Don’t be afraid to address discrimination and harassment head-on. Let your employees know that this behaviour will not be tolerated in your workplace. **Promote and support women in leadership** One of the best [ways to promote gender diversity is to support women](https://www.financedigest.com/3-ways-to-safeguard-and-include-women-in-construction.html "3 ways to safeguard and include women in construction") in leadership roles. This sends a strong message that you value diversity and are committed to promoting equality. Make sure you’re providing the same opportunities to [women as you are to men](https://www.financedigest.com/bloom-uk-launches-fourth-annual-co-mentoring-scheme-the-exchange-for-senior-and-c-suite-men-and-women.html "Bloom UK launches fourth annual co-mentoring scheme, The Exchange, for senior and C-suite men and women"). And don’t be afraid to challenge the [status quo](https://www.financedigest.com/pelosi-praises-taiwan-says-asian-trip-wasnt-to-change-status-quo.html "Pelosi praises Taiwan, says Asian trip wasn’t to change status quo")! If you see a problem, speak up and try to find a solution. **[Launch Networking Communities & Employee](https://www.financedigest.com/lufthansa-launches-drive-to-hire-20000-employees.html "Lufthansa launches drive to hire 20,000 employees") Resource Groups** Networking communities and employee resource groups (ERGs) are a great way to promote diversity. They provide a safe space for [employees to connect](https://www.financedigest.com/voice-quality-matters-quarter-of-employees-working-from-home-still-experiencing-regular-connectivity-issues.html "Voice Quality Matters: Quarter of Employees Working From Home Still Experiencing Regular Connectivity Issues") with others who share similar backgrounds or experiences. ERGs can also be a valuable [resource for businesses](https://www.financedigest.com/workforce-management-the-next-cloud-resource-for-businesses.html "Workforce management; the next cloud resource for businesses?"). They can help you [develop a better understanding of the issues your employees face and come up with strategies](https://www.financedigest.com/automotive-hmi-system-market-recent-industry-developments-and-growth-strategies-adopted-by-players.html "Automotive HMI System Market: Recent Industry Developments and Growth Strategies Adopted by Players") to address them. **Measure and track your progress** Last but not least, it’s important to measure and track your progress on gender diversity. This will help you determine what’s working and what [needs to be improved](https://www.financedigest.com/what-banks-need-to-do-right-now-to-improve-their-digital-services-without-sacrificing-security.html "What Banks Need to Do Right Now to Improve Their Digital Services Without Sacrificing Security "). There are a number of ways to do this, but one of the simplest is to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound) goals and then track your progress over time. Let’s [say you want to hire](https://www.financedigest.com/iberdrola-hires-barclays-to-sell-stake-in-spanish-renewable-portfolio-expansion-says.html "Iberdrola hires Barclays to sell stake in Spanish renewable portfolio, Expansion says") more women executives. Your smart goal could be as follows: ‘we will hire ‘we will hire two additional women executives within the next six months. You can then track your progress by looking at the number of women executives you have hired over time. These [goals can be applied to any aspect of your business](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-create-financial-goals-for-your-business-in-2021.html "How To Create Financial Goals For Your Business In 2021"), from hiring to performance reviews. Be sure to share them with your employees and communicate them clearly. This will not only ensure that [everyone is on the same page and working](https://www.financedigest.com/working-from-home-everyone-is-different.html "Working from home, everyone is different.") towards the same goals, but it also holds you to account in meeting these goals. **Final Thoughts** So there you have it! These are just a few of the things your business can do to embrace gender diversity. Keep in mind that change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort and commitment. But if you’re willing to put in the work, you can make a difference. **_About Author_**: _As Co-Founder of_ [_Capitalixe_](https://capitalixe.com/) _, Lissele Pratt helps companies in high-risk industries obtain the latest financial technology and banking solutions._ _With seven+ [years of experience](https://www.financedigest.com/2021-the-year-of-buyer-experience.html "2021: The year of buyer experience") in the financial services industry and a global perspective, the entrepreneurial-minded Lissele is a recognised thought-leader in foreign exchange, payments and financial technology. Her [entrepreneurial spirit](https://www.financedigest.com/entrepreneurial-spirit-turn-your-hobby-into-a-lucrative-career.html "Entrepreneurial Spirit – Turn your Hobby into a Lucrative Career") took her from crafting her first business at the age of 16 to scaling her finance business to $800K+ in annual revenue in just under two years._ _Lissele’s hard [work and determination landed her a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 finance](https://www.financedigest.com/finance-teams-have-been-left-in-the-dark-on-the-real-cost-of-working-from-home.html "Finance teams have been left in the dark on the real cost of working from home") list in 2021. She is extremely passionate about helping women break into the [finance industry](https://www.financedigest.com/future-of-the-finance-industry.html "Future of the Finance Industry") and is an active proponent for equality. She is also a Virgin Startup mentor and Co-Founder of Athena Founders, a global community for [female entrepreneurs](https://www.financedigest.com/three-ways-that-female-entrepreneurs-can-supercharge-their-hiring-process.html "Three ways that female entrepreneurs can supercharge their hiring process") to connect, learn and grow._ --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---