Has the Pandemic Set Female Leadership Backwards?

Has the Pandemic set Female Leadership Backwards?

There’s no denying that female leaders have had their fair share of life-changing breakthroughs within the past century. From achieving equal voting rights, to ripping up the men-only job role rulebook. Reputations have been transformed from passionate hunger-strikers to confident covid-busters. With each female powerhouse having a stratospheric effect on the gender equality movement. Modern-day activists may not be hunger-striking, post-box burning individuals. Instead, these women have been aligning with passionate intellects such as Michelle Obama or New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern in the continuous battle of achieving equality for the sexes.

We like to think of women in power as representatives of the paradigm shift away from female repression, but are we really there yet?

Research throughout the course of the pandemic proves that we may be approaching an unanticipated series of potholes on the journey towards equality. In March 2020, the once-in-a-lifetime pandemic (taps the wooden table beneath her laptop) led to worldwide school closures and a complete uphaul in businesses activities. Evidence proves that Women’s jobs were 1.8 times more vulnerable to the crisis than men’s jobs. As a result, Covid-19 disproportionately impacted women in the workforce as they were forced to take on uncompensated caregiving roles at home and in life in general. The World Economic Forum had previously forecast that gender parity was 100 years from fruition. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, they’ve added a further 36 years to this calculation! Basically, coronavirus has cast a 36-year freeze over our gender equality development.

With women steering the way in some of the world’s most esteemed organisations, you may think that female leadership trends are on a one-way route to success. Not quite. If women are forced to leave the workplace, we’ll end up with far fewer women on the track to future leadership. The mass exodus of female employees is at risk of sending a message that they are unreliable leaders. Not only does this damage the female representation. It also has reverberating effects for businesses that benefit from maintaining a gender and diversity balance and risks stalling efforts to build a more diverse leadership.

Women bring a lot to the table – different perspectives, managerial styles and different ways of collaborating. Research has shown that firms with more women in senior positions are more profitable, more socially responsible, and provide safer, higher-quality customer experiences among other benefits. McKinsey research has found that gender diversity is key to financial success: Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile.

What can organisations do to counteract the exodus of female employees?

Conditions in the workplace must be suited to accommodate the challenges facing women as they return to work. Pay attention to the training and development of females. Understand their roles as caregivers and being mindful of burnout. The onus is on businesses to remember the benefits which their female employees bring to the workplace. Curated support is essential. Of course, it’s easier said than done, but companies and brands need to invest in education, family planning, digital inclusion and unpaid care work.

Gender parity is about men and women considering each other as allies in the workplace. Reversing the regressive trend requires rigorous action. Participating organisations will be nurturers of future female leaders in the continuous battle for gender equality.

At Kelly, we are all about supporting diverse workplaces.

If you are searching for talent to support the development of a diverse team, find out more about what we do to recruit for a better world by clicking here.

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Kelly Staffing delighted to introduce Gi Group to the Irish Market

By Ben Forde • 19 Apr, 2024

As a longstanding temporary and permanent staffing supplier to leading businesses across Cork and Galway Kelly Services Ireland are pleased to confirm their acquisition by Gi Group Holding. Kelly, under the new name of Gi Group Ireland, will be joining Marks Sattin & Matthew Fitzpatrick as another Gi Group Holding Recruitment and HR solutions offering in Ireland. The recent acquisition comes with great opportunity for the Irish market, introducing Gi Group and their breadth of expertise to the region while maintaining the invaluable local capabilities delivered by Kelly Ireland. This marriage of well-established local knowledge, relationships and expertise from Kelly with the resources granted by Gi Group’s considerable size makes for a formidable new staffing provider in Ireland. The existing Kelly team will be on hand to support current clients and workers continuing ‘business as usual’ to offer a seamless transition to all parties involved. In support of this transition, some common queries regarding the acquisition have been address below. Is it BAU for us as a Kelly Client? Yes absolutely, our dedicated teams in Cork and Galway will remain the same, delivering to client requirements as they have been for over 40 years. What are the main changes? Initially the change of name. We will continue to provide temporary and permanent staffing services to the Life Sciences, Engineering, IT and Renewable Energy Industries. In time we may add additional services in line with Gi Group service offerings across Europe, this will not impact any existing relationships. What do we put on invoices going forward? We are currently still operating as Kelly Staffing Ireland Ltd. All invoices must be addressed as such to avoid any delays in payments. Once the transition to operating as Gi Group Ireland is complete further communications will be sent out.

Navigating Career Crossroads: Your Guide to Fulfilling Your Next Career Move!

06 Feb, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of the professional world, many of us find ourselves at crossroads, contemplating a change in career or seeking new opportunities to ignite our passion.

September Surge – Our Top Tips for Job Seekers

By Shazamme System User • 07 Sep, 2023

Summer is over. September is here. For you lovers of the summer this can often bring feelings of the blues, but September can represent a time for a fresh start. This time of the year can offer many opportunities for job hunters to find a new job that aligns with their skills, goals, and experience. Check out our top tips on how you can land your dream job this time around (and why you should work with Kelly). 1. Get Clear On Your Goals First and foremost, you must have a clear objective of what you want for your career. Searching for a new job can bring feelings of excitement and motivation but it can also be overwhelming for applicants. Having an idea of what industries, you would like to work in, the timeline in which you would like to find a job, and the companies you’re interested in will reduce those negative feelings but will also give you a sense of direction and focus. 2. Update Your CV The next thing you should look at is improving and updating your CV. Have you demonstrated your most valuable skills? Have you highlighted your most important accomplishments and achievements? Have you included your personal websites, business profiles, and your LinkedIn profile? These are some of the many things to consider when updating your CV. Job applicants should also keep in mind that you should adjust your CV for every job you apply for. You should customize your CV so that it reflects the job you’re applying for. 3. Work with a Recruiter Are you aware of the benefits of working with a recruiter? Recruiters are experts in the hiring industry. They can help save you a significant amount of time during your job search as they know exactly what jobs are available in the market and they can match you with a role that aligns with your experience. Recruitment consultants can help you improve your CV and cover letter as well as make sure you are prepared for interviews. If you would like to read more about the benefits of working with a recruiter, click here . September is an excellent time of the year to find that new opportunity that you have been longing for. By following these tips, you should be on the right course to navigate the job market and find a role that suits you. It’s important to stay positive during your job search as it can sometimes be a lengthy process. But just remember, the right opportunity can take time. If you would like assistance during your job search, please do not hesitate to reach out and email us at info@kellyservices.ie . Or click here to search our latest vacancies and apply today!