No, we will not be bloody hugging ourselves this IWD

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:

1. Salary transparency – within the company AND on all job ads (pay secrecy is where equality goes to die)

2. All roles offered flexibly as standard – every single role is offered part-time, job share, whatever works

3. Flexible working from day one – where, when, and how you work best.

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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.