Why should an organisation actively work on gender equality? What are the benefits?
The answer to this question is a little different for everyone, but the breakfast seminar brought together representatives from the forestry, tech, public and industrial sectors to discuss key arguments and tips for finding your own reasons.
Differences favour the group
Some key arguments are relatively universal. Companies that actively pursue gender equality not only create a workplace with a climate in which both men and women thrive. They also create companies with better conditions for creating profitability.
– By working with gender equality issues, you equip the company for the future, where gender equality will be a hygiene factor,” says Lena Witting, HR consultant at Region Värmland and one of the project managers of Attraktionskraft Värmland, which organised the seminar.
“For example, gender equality strengthens the acceptance of differences, which comes with many benefits.
– Through different perspectives we challenge each other. This leads to more innovation,” says Emma Jacobsson, process manager at Compare and project manager in Attraktionskraft Värmland.
– “The less similar we are, the more we can challenge each other,” Lena adds.
Other benefits that studies have been able to prove are fewer sick leaves, better well-being, a more inclusive workplace where, for example, unattractive jargon is washed out.
Attracting labour
Working on gender equality is important for attracting labour. Among other things, it was highlighted that younger people increasingly tend to demand gender equality and actively opt out of workplaces that cannot offer it. It is not enough to say that you are working on gender equality, it needs to be reflected in the organisation in order to retain many of the employees with attractive skills in the long term.
Pär Lärkeryd from Norra Skog made a guest appearance at the seminar. The company has been praised for its gender equality work led by Pär. He noted how Norra Skog’s work has led to precisely the benefits highlighted during the seminar – a more sustainable workplace, better work culture and better profitability.
The seminar series will cover different ways of tackling the issue of gender equality and skills supply from a range of different initiatives. Keep an eye on the events calendar to see upcoming events as they are published and sign up!
The seminar was the first in a series of meetings that will take place in autumn 2023 and spring 2024, covering topics such as youth leadership, norms and prejudices, and broadening recruitment. It is organised by Region Värmland, Paper Province, Compare, IUC/Stål &Verkstad within the framework of the joint project Attraktionskraft Värmland.
