Strategies for promoting gender equality in the workplace

The UAE government has placed significant emphasis on promoting gender equality since the establishment of its Gender Balance Council in 2015. Its clear commitment to providing equal opportunities, promoting female economic empowerment, and recognizing the vital role of women in shaping the country's future, is evident in its initiatives spanning from domestic settings to the workplace.

As a result of such initiatives, the UAE has become a regional leader in gender balance. The country's laws prohibit gender-based discrimination in the workplace and ensure that men and women receive equal wages and salaries in the public sector. This national commitment to gender equality is also reflected within private companies. However, although the UAE has one of the highest rates of female workforce participation in the MENA region - 57.5%, as of 2020 - it is still considerably less than that of men, at 92%.

So, what can private sector employers do to further improve female inclusion and equality in the workplace?

Listen - and learn - from your employees

Gender equality in the workplace can be a sensitive topic. Nonetheless, transparency is essential to making progress. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your female team members and ask for their constructive feedback - after all, they are the ones who know your business best.

Depending on the size of your company, arranging one-on-one meetings with women at all levels, including directors, senior management, and junior team members, can be effective. Additionally, confidential surveys are a useful tool for gathering honest feedback from a more extensive range of perspectives.

It may be that employees would benefit from more flexible working arrangements, to accommodate personal commitments. Or it could be something as simple as providing access to complimentary sanitary products. Whatever policies your company decides to implement, such initiatives can be hugely beneficial for building a better, more productive working environment.

However, more importantly, by soliciting and implementing suggestions from your female employees, you can demonstrate that their contributions are valued. This recognition can enhance employee retention and empower female workers to pursue more senior leadership positions within your company. This, in turn, will further improve gender equality within your workplace.

Equality works both ways

Achieving equality means ensuring that an individual's opportunities are not influenced by their gender. This requires offering equal opportunities to female and male employees. In 2020, the UAE took a significant step towards achieving gender equality by becoming the first country in the MENA region to introduce fully paid parental leave for both female and male private sector employees.

But there’s more that private sector employers can do to encourage gender balance. Expanding paternity leave packages beyond the standard 5 days paid leave for fathers, has demonstrated a profoundly positive impact on employee morale and productivity. Enhanced paternity leave packages also mean that female employees are more likely to stay in the labor force, and climb the corporate ladder, as the division of parental responsibilities is more equally shared.

Equity leads to equality

While providing support for early years parenting is important, creating a more equitable work environment extends far beyond this. Consider how to best meet the needs of your employees at every life stage - even if that means addressing subjects that some may find difficult to discuss.

For example, female employees who are currently experiencing the menopause or perimenopause may need extra physical - and emotional - support, to accommodate their specific needs and symptoms. So, whether an employee is starting Hormone Replacement Therapy, or would benefit from additional emotional care, there are plenty of ways that companies can help their female employees during various life stages - and encourage a happy, healthy female workforce.

How your healthcare provider can help

When considering how to further improve gender equality within your workplace, evaluating your healthcare provisions can be a great place to start. For example, access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) as part of your workplace wellness package demonstrates a duty of care from you as an employer towards the holistic wellbeing of your employees, and can help them to strike a balance between work and family life.

Also be sure to promote the services available. For example, as part of its tailored healthcare packages, GulfCare provides corporate health insurance policies with added benefits such as TruDoc, a tele-health service which is centered around NHS guidelines. TruDoc is available for all eligible employees, and can provide much-needed, evidence-based guidance and support for your employees.

Another benefit of GulfCare’s services is its Chronic Medication Scheme (CMS), which enables patients to access long-term medication on a regular basis without the need for multiple visits to the doctor. For both male and female employees experiencing health issues, easy and discreet access to medical care can be life-changing. In addition to promoting gender inclusion, services like these also support age diversity, which can help to retain experienced female team members and ensure representation at all levels within your company. By valuing and accommodating the needs of all employees, regardless of age or gender, businesses can create an inclusive workplace culture that fosters productivity, innovation, and success.

For more information on GulfCare’s services, get in touch with us today.