everywoman, the specialists in the advancement of women in business, welcomes the Women’s Business Council’s report launched today (Tuesday, 4 June 2012), outlining recommendations to Government aimed at increasing the role women play in business and the workplace.
Karen Gill, co-founder of everywoman, says: “The report recognises the overwhelming business case for raising the status of women in the economic community and the council’s recommendations will hopefully facilitate positive change. However, Government and businesses can only go so far; women must also be ambitious for their careers if change is to be significant and lasting.
“We work with many organisations that have a real desire to improve their pipeline of female talent, we give them the tools and resources to do that and we work with their women encouraging them to take ownership of their career.”
The Women’s Business Council was set up in 2012 to advise Government on how to best engage women and business and is made up of key industry figures chosen for their achievements in the business world as well as their commitment to diversity in the workplace. everywoman has been involved with the council since its formation providing research, insight and case studies.
Companies such as Asda, Cisco, RBS, Santander, Nationwide, Alcatel-Lucent,and TNT work with everywoman to support the development of their female employees.
everywoman recently launched Ambition Hour, a campaign endorsed by Government Minister Jo Swinson that encourages women to take charge of developing their own careers by spending an hour a week exploring career goals and implementing a plan to make them a reality.
Jo Swinson, Minister for Women and Equalities, comments on the Ambition Hour campaign: “Drawing on women’s talents is crucial to grow our economy, and the Government is already taking a range of steps to help remove the barriers that hold women back.
“Think, Act, Report is a voluntary scheme that encourages companies to think about women’s equality in the workplace and now covers 1.3 million employees. We are also extending the right to request flexible working and changing the system of shared parental leave.
“The Ambition Hour campaign is vital in helping develop the skills of future female leaders. While government can help reform the business environment, encouraging women to invest time in planning their careers will result in a stronger pipeline of talented women coming through that will benefit everyone.”
The Getting Started Guide to Ambition Hour can be downloaded from www.everywoman.com/ambitionhour and the tools such as downloadable workbooks, case studies and seminars can be accessed through corporate or individual membership of the everywomanNetwork.
Credit: onrec.com
