Stantec employees make pledges to #PressForProgress on International Women’s Day
March 06, 2018
On March 8, Stantec encourages all employees to #PressForProgress for women’s equality in the workplace, at home, or in their communities
March 8 is International Women’s Day. A day celebrated across the globe, where everyone is encouraged to press for progress on behalf of women and inspire others to further gender inclusion. Stantec is proud to support this important initiative and all of our female employees.
Together we continue to build a supportive workplace, founded on acceptance, open-mindedness, and collaboration. One way Stantec supports this idea is through our many Women@Stantec Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Companywide, these ERGs are creating opportunities for women to come together to connect, contribute to a dialogue about career development and leadership, find their passion and purpose, and challenge unconscious bias.
Unconscious bias exists in each person’s world view, affecting our behavior. Most of us don’t necessarily feel it, but many of those around us do. It is for this reason that Stantec is committed to raising awareness and providing training to our employees regarding unconscious bias. Underrepresented groups, including women, are most impacted by bias and the ways in which it creates barriers to inclusion, performance, engagement, attraction and retention, promotions, and ultimately, innovation.
As the chairperson of Stantec’s Women’s Leadership Development subcommittee, I personally encourage all of our employees to take the International Women’s Day pledge to #PressForProgress in one or more of the following ways:
Challenging stereotypes and bias
How? Question assumptions about women, use inclusive language, challenge statements that limit women’s ability to expand their sphere of influence.
Boosting visibility of women
How? Work with women to communicate leadership opportunities, engage them in speaking opportunities or events, and help female colleagues, friends, and family members know they are empowered and supported to do whatever they want to in their careers.
Influencing others’ beliefs/actions
How? Champion change. Be supportive of one another, call-out inappropriate behavior, lead by example via inclusive actions, and be a role model for equality.
Stantec is proud to celebrate diversity and encourages all its employees to join together on this journey as we seek to create an even more inclusive workplace. For more ways in which you can press for progress in 2018 there are several resources available on the internet:
