Last week, as part of International Women’s Day, the EDI Women’s Network shared a number of communications and resources celebrating the progress we have made and the ways in which we continue to support women in the workplace.
I was, of course, very proud that we were able to share such positive news but it was very sobering to see this juxtaposed with the tragic death of Sarah Everard and the understandable feelings and ensuing discussion around women’s safety. It certainly put into perspective how much, as a society, we still need to address. I also recognise that this murder is one of many violent acts against women across society and that it’s important to acknowledge the deaths of women who have not received the same level of media coverage – Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman, Blessing Olusegun, Tiprat Argatu, Anna Ovyannikova – to name a few.
In this context, I first wanted to ask what more we could be doing as an organisation to proactively support our staff, clients and customers around the issues this has highlighted. Therefore, I would like to invite a conversation regarding any situations you typically encounter in the course of carrying out your role - pre or post-Covid working arrangements - which make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, for example travelling home after an evening event. This is a call out for everyone - not just women - and the purpose is to identify any measures we need to put in place to support you and, as we review our future ways of working, ensure that our policies and procedures are fully reflective of different scenarios and settings that we may not previously have considered. Please contact EDI@growthco.uk with your comments and thoughts, and if you think a focus group would be a helpful forum to discuss some of this in further detail.
Second, is a moment of individual and collective reflection, which is to ask what more we can do proactively to help either ourselves, or others to feel more safe? Personally, I thought this TED Talk by Jackson Katz was a thought-provoking watch for us all in helping to call out unacceptable behaviour and to be leaders of change. I know there is much discussion that this is a male issue and about what men can do. The example of giving women space by not walking behind them is just one that’s been given – this is something I have consciously done for about 10 years recognising that as a man I can feel anxious enough when someone is walking behind me in the dark and so I cannot imagine what it would feel like for a female colleague in the same situation.
This Ted Talk is just one resource, there are plenty of podcasts, books and online information for us to educate ourselves and reflect on misogyny on a number of societal levels – as a reminder that it can be identified in everyday life and the consequences of this misogyny – as seen in the cases above.
I also wanted to reshare the link to the ‘Hollie Guard App’ which is free to use. It immediately notifies your chosen contacts if you feel that you’re in danger, pinpointing your location and sending audio and video evidence directly to their mobile phones. Finally, I am including some helplines and websites you may find useful if you have been impacted:
- Our Employee Assistance Programme – call for free confidential advice on 0800 030 5182 or visit the online health portal (username: Growth, password: Company) and download the new My Healthy Advantage app.
- Victim Support Helpline – call 0808 168 9111.
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline – freephone on 0808 2000 247.
- Women’s aid – live chat and resources on their website.
- Mankind – call on the helpline on 01823 334244 supports male victims of domestic abuse, though it helps all callers regardless of sex, race or sexual orientation.
There will no doubt continue to be much needed discussion around the issues raised, and we will revisit in future staff communications. I hope that through engaging with these issues we can all do our bit to support positive change.