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Elevating workplace inclusivity, gender equality and diversity
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or years, many people have thought that the way we work is solely defined by our experiences and abilities. However, the majority of employees experience a lack of recognition, distinction and appreciation at work, indicating concern over injustice in the workplace.
Increasing recognition is needed of inclusivity, gender equality and other systemic changes to help boost employee performance and capacity. In addition, the number and makeup of a company’s workforce also reflects how concerned it is in dealing with societal issues, such as an imbalance in the number of male and female employees.
According to Maggie Tiojakin, president and chief revenue officer at The Jakarta Post, the company’s workforce is very close to achieving gender balance between. Since its founding 40 years ago, the Post has consistently maintained a male-female ratio of 51:49 or 52:48.
“And indeed, if you look at The Jakarta Post's journey, sometimes it seems like there are more women than men in the office. And in terms of numbers, it is currently quite balanced,” said Maggie.
Workplace gender equality allows for a more comfortable work environment, creating a setting that is conducive to employee development that in turn helps improve overall performance and productivity.
According to Maggie, another issue employers should be aware of is diversity, whether of gender, age or ethnicity.
"The most important thing for a media company like The Jakarta Post is diversity of experience. We are not on just one path, and we also have experience of various cultures and peoples, which helps us to be more empathetic by including and facilitating a diversity of experiences, starting from policymaking,” she said.
For example, in 2018 the English-language newspaper eliminated its age requirement for employment, which was a breakthrough to ensure workplace inclusivity, said Maggie.
She also noted that a company’s diversity lent workers a sense of care and empathy in their jobs, motivating them to complete their tasks quickly while also increasing employee satisfaction.
Drawing from her experience in writing and professional career, Maggie explained that among the values women brought to a workplace was not just emotional intelligence, which was often used as a negative stereotype. Women possessed many strengths they had gained from their varying experiences of diversity and equality, she said, and these would help drive change.
Women had the same capacities as men, she continued, and the corporate world could expand opportunities and space for women to grow their businesses, in line with contemporary developments and demands as well as technological advancements.
“And changes in company policy are the key to change and development [that support] women in the world of work. Guidance from respected women who possess empathy can build teams and also create a foundation for them to participate in technology," said Maggie.
Beyond developing company culture, she added, gender balance and women’s empowerment also applied to the Post in the kinds of articles and social media posts it produced.
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