News • 08/03/23
No, we will not be bloody hugging ourselves this IWD
![A woman sat on a rock at the beach self hugs](https://jackandgrace.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pexels-nadin-sh-11682190-min-scaled.jpg)
![A woman sat on a rock at the beach self hugs](https://jackandgrace.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pexels-nadin-sh-11682190-min-scaled.jpg)
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day gave us eye strain
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day gave us eye strain (there’s only so much eye-rolling you should ever attempt).
It also made us think… supporting women in the workplace isn’t just for IWD, it’s an all-year round endeavour. Here are six things we do year-round to push for greater equality at work:
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Salary transparency – within the company AND on all job ads (pay secrecy is where equality goes to die)
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All roles offered flexibly as standard – every single role is offered part-time, job share, whatever works
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Flexible working from day one – where, when, and how you work best.
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36 days paid leave – including the bank hols. And for part time workers, holiday allowance is worked out pro-rata and then bank holidays added on top so you don’t miss out (AND you can take the bank holiday days whenever you want – not just on the ‘official’ days)
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Support around menstruation, menopause and miscarriage – for example, six days off with full pay if you or your partner experience a miscarriage. With three paid days off if you need time to care for a loved one who’s had a miscarriage (perhaps you’re a parent, sibling or grandparent)
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Enhanced maternity and paternity leave – and shared parental leave actively encouraged. Because until everyone gets better support to be a proactive parent, society won’t get any more equal
So, instead of hugging ourselves and taking a creepy selfie this IWD, we’ll be continuing to reflect on what more we can do to support equality in the workplace.