Most
of today's employers pay for gender equality. On the contrary, the India
Economic Survey 2020 report gives a bleak picture of women's labor force
participation. It went from 25.3% in 2017-2018 to 33.1% in 2011-2012.
This
failure can be attributed to several factors. One of the main problems is the
health of working women. Today, many women simultaneously work demanding jobs
and family responsibilities. A variety of jobs and support services are
perceived to have a negative impact on their overall health.
Women's health needs and work culture
Total population Different workplaces have different health needs. In the workplace, women have different health needs than men, which often go unnoticed. When these problems are not solved, they lose productivity and do not work properly, failing to fulfill their responsibilities.
This forces them to change jobs
frequently, choose part-time jobs, refuse promotions, accept low wages and
accept early retirement.
So
how does their presence affect your organization? To stay competitive in
today's economy, you need to reorganize your workforce to keep up with the
latest trends and expectations. This is where women play an important role in
promoting the creative ideas that allow an organization to thrive. But their
lack of health can hurt employers, missing out on top talent.
The
US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a decline in unemployment, reaching 14.3%
in 2020. This shows that the battle to retain talent will intensify in the
coming years. So, leaving out the actors will make your organization less
efficient.
Therefore,
the role of managers is very important to retain talent, especially female
employees who are losing jobs and important things.
The Role of Employers in Promoting Women's Health
Social,
cultural and economic factors contribute significantly to women's health
problems. But on average, the percentage of work-related cases is higher for
women than for men. The Women's Work Report states that more than 58 percent of
American women surveyed recommend considering the workplace as a factor in
their overall health.
Conditions
such as endometriosis or infertility, pregnancy and menopause issues are often
overlooked in the workplace. The unrecognized health of working women poses a
barrier to their employment potential. The support of their employers is
important for these women to realize their potential in the workplace. Without
it, they may be viewed negatively at work. These conditions affect them not
only physically but also mentally.
Investing
in health promotion initiatives will improve the well-being of your employees,
especially women's health.
Read: Top 10 Futures of Work Jobs and Skills in 2030
9 ways to Support Women's Health at Work
Here are some great ways to improve employee women's health well-being:
1. Advise them when they
get symptoms
Women
experience more hormones during menopause or pregnancy. Providing peer support
can help reduce symptoms. You can also make a first aid room where he can rest
and relax.
2. Provides a personalized
health check
Providing
health screening is important to the organization for the health and well-being
of employees. Make sure your employees get special attention, organize company
health checks with gender-specific tests and health education.
3. Break through that
shyness by having an open conversation
To
break the stigma around women's health, it's important to have an open conversation.
Men need to know about women's health if they want to be a better helper as
colleagues, managers or leaders. You can create a forum for women's interests
that are open to everyone. This will cover health topics, symptoms, and
treatments for both men and women that may affect their relationships.
4. Plan flexible working
hours
A
woman continues to shoulder the responsibilities of work, housework and
childcare equally. These people spend time hindering his ability to work, which
affects his well-being in a negative way. So scheduling a flexible work
schedule is one way to keep busy.
5. Create polls to gain
insight
Some
employees may be reluctant to ask for help when it comes to their health. It is
very important as a manager to focus on these women too, to ensure that they
are not left out of benefits.
Doing
research is useful in such situations. You must understand their questions and
expectations. It will also help you to make the necessary changes to correct
his weaknesses at work.
6. Provide ergonomics at
the workstation
Women
are more prone to occupational hazards than men. The causes of nerve problems,
anxiety, diseases and obesity are common among women. Providing functional
ergonomics will help them reduce health problems, encouraging a healthy
lifestyle.
7. Provide services from
home during the maternity period
At
this time, the company gives the employee 80 days of maternity leave. But this
is not enough care that the child needs from the mother. It was then that he
would use his work to sacrifice to take care of the child. Offering a
work-from-home or part-time vacation plan can encourage your valued employee to
take care of their child while at work.
8. Create childcare options
for new mothers
Pregnancy-related
problems are common among working women. Postnatal care is important for a
child's growth, so creating a nursing home will help a mother take care of her
child during pregnancy. Not only does your employee feel valued, but they also
get emotional support from you.
9. Save their stories
Support
a work culture that makes women feel supported and encouraged to share their
health issues. It's important to keep them comfortable by making sure they are
heard and not alone at a critical time. This gives managers the confidence to
stand up for women's stories in front of everyone and take action to address
them.
Read: How to Write a Good Safety Plan - A step-by-step guide
Health and Well-being Issues faced by Women in the Workplace
Women
face unique physical and mental health challenges, and these challenges can
have a significant impact on their careers and personal lives.
Let's
explore the health and wellness issues women face in the workplace.
1. Mental health problems
One
of the biggest issues facing women in the workplace is mental health. According
to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health, women are more likely to
experience mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and stress. This
can be for a variety of reasons, including pressure to perform well at work,
societal expectations, and difficulty balancing work and family life.
What's
more, according to the Women in the Workplace report, working mothers are twice
as likely as fathers to worry that their child-rearing duties could negatively
impact their work. Despite the increasing number of women in the workforce, there
is still a stigma around discussing women's health, such as postpartum
depression, per menopause anxiety, and infertility.
2. Burnout
Another
challenge women face in the workplace is burnout. Burnout is a state of
emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and
overwork. Women are more likely to be tired because of other responsibilities
they usually have outside of work, such as care giving and housework. Women in
leadership positions, who historically report being more active than men, burn
out more often today than men (28% vs. 39%).
3. Gender bias and
discrimination
Gender
bias and discrimination can also harm the health and well-being of women in the
workforce. Women may face challenges such as unpaid wages, lack of opportunities
for advancement, and even harassment and abuse. These challenges can lead to
many mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
depression and anxiety. This can have a significant impact on women's ability
to perform their duties and progress in their careers.
A
study by the American Psychological Association found that women who were
discriminated against in the workplace reported higher levels of stress and
lower job satisfaction than their male counterparts. Gender bias and
discrimination can also affect women's confidence and self-esteem, which can
further contribute to poor mental health. Women may feel undervalued, excluded
or unsupported, leading to feelings of isolation and disconnection.
4. Menstrual time off
For
many women, period pain and discomfort can be a major challenge that affects
their ability to work and carry out daily activities. This can lead to lost
productivity, lost work days, and reduced quality of life. Menstrual leave can
give women the time they need to recover and manage their symptoms, allowing
them to return to work refreshed and more productive.
However,
the concept of menstrual leave is not without controversy. Some argue that this
reinforces gender stereotypes and can hinder women's career advancement. Others
argue that this can lead to discrimination against women in the workplace, as
employers may avoid hiring women to avoid additional costs and negative
consequences of leave. Despite the controversy surrounding menstrual leave, it
is important to recognize the challenges that menstruation can pose for women
in the workplace.
5. Taboo around physical
health
Physical
health is just as important as mental health, but women may not feel
comfortable discussing gynecological health issues with their employers. The
Foundation's work research supports ending discrimination against women with
health problems in the workplace.
Endometriosis is an example of a chronic disease that affects some women of childbearing age. Heavy bleeding, chronic pelvic pain and fatigue are just some of the symptoms. Women with endometriosis and other women's conditions can be hindered in their work and suffer depression in their mental health if their employers do not provide them with adequate accommodation.
Unfortunately, many women with
gynecological diseases do not feel comfortable going to their employers and
asking for help, especially if they report to male care, for fear that they
will not understand the request them.
Final word
In
recent years, women's health issues have permeated the industry. To support
them, employers need to understand their health conditions to take this into
account when creating conditions and policies. Reviewing their health and
safety policies will ensure they get the best possible health from your
organization.
This
helps gain the trust of your employees, encouraging retention. Making some
changes to work schedules, providing essentials, and communicating openly can
help support women's health at work.
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