BY: ERIN M. WILSON
Originally Published: ISBA’s Standing Committee on Women and the Law: The Catalyst (March 2024)
In the workplace, women have developed tremendously in the past 10 years. Ten years ago, the percentage of women practicing attorneys was 33 percent, and according to the American Bar Association, it is now 40 percent. Often, women feel as if they must prove their worth within a workplace and that is a challenge within itself that women deal with. Having a female leader or a support system for women can help you feel more confident in your field. Forbes included in their “10 Ways Female Leaders Champion Women’s Empowerment in the Workforce” article that female leaders play a colossal role in shaping a workforce.
Please see some tips below on how to be a successful women-based organization or business:
Foster a workplace culture that encourages collaboration and communication. When a business fosters a workplace culture that encourages collaboration and communication, it makes it easier for its employees to define boundaries and feel comfortable using their voices. Each employee should feel as if they have a voice and they should feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions.
Respect boundaries. Although this may seem like common sense, boundaries come in all different forms. There are three subcategories of boundaries: physical, emotional, and mental. It is both the employer and the employee’s responsibility to set boundaries, and they are both held accountable to respect those boundaries once they are set.
Some physical boundaries that someone may set could include the following:
Preferring to shake hands rather than to hug.
Closing the door to their office to signal they are busy or currently unavailable.
Allowing someone to borrow a personal object but specifying when to return it.
Some emotional boundaries that someone may set could include the following:
Speaking with your employer about how you receive criticism—maybe when employers raise their voice it is a trigger to you.
Communicating when you have too much on your plate—ask to delegate tasks to other coworkers if you are struggling.
Creating and sticking to a schedule that enhances work-life balance.
Some mental boundaries that someone may set could include the following:
Communicating with your employer and employees when you are not feeling or doing your best—this helps divert any negative conversation on your performance or behavior at that time.
Establishing your set work hours—this can help avoid working overtime and ensure you get your projects done on work time.
Changing your online status to busy or marking your calendar as busy.
Make sure to address the positives and praise the accomplishments of your coworkers. When a case goes sideways or something goes wrong in business, it is important to address the issue and create a solution. On the contrary, though, employers and employees need to praise each other when goals are met or accomplishments are made. Positive reinforcement encourages you to work harder and it always feels good to be recognized in front of your coworkers.
Build a network of strong women in your field. A great way to get involved with other women in your field is to join groups and organizations. Within the workplace, employers should promote networking events and encourage their employees to attend. Some ways to do this are to share via word of mouth or send emails to your team with upcoming happy hours, social events, and field-related events. There are also many online forums, groups, and communities in which you can add yourself and communicate within. Social media groups and apps are one of the best ways to stay connected!
NOTICE: This blog is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as providing legal advice. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding this blog post.