Vancouver (March 8, 2021) - Crowe MacKay LLP celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021, raising awareness of the impacts of gender bias in the workplace.
This year’s theme, Choose to Challenge, calls out gender bias and inequality. Crowe MacKay recognizes the importance of challenging gender stereotypes as we work together to create a more inclusive world.
While one focus on International Women’s Day is to celebrate women’s achievements, it’s important that the work we do in achieving gender equity in the workplace extends beyond March 8. Choosing to Challenge reminds each of us that we have a responsibility to create an inclusive world that extends from our homes to the workplace. Everyone can play a role in forging gender parity.
We will continue to celebrate women’s achievements, as we each possess the ability to create impact through advocacy, leadership, and the choices we make, challenging the status quo and influencing others’ beliefs and actions.
Natasha Chand, CPA, CA
Senior Manager
COVID-19 has changed the world, disrupting our families and the workplace. Burnout is real and we are seeing the impacts of blurred boundaries between the home and office.
Women’s jobs have been 1.8 times more vulnerable than men’s jobs during COVID-19, and while women make up 39 percent of global employment, they’ve accounted for 54 percent of overall job losses during the pandemic1. A recent study found that 1 in 3 mothers are considering downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce because of their increased responsibilities in the pandemic2, adding gender parity to the list of economic impacts of COVID-19.
With the increase in remote work environments the expectation to be “always on, always available” is impacting both men and women and emphasizing gender stereotypes.
Women are 1.5 times more likely than fathers to be spending an extra three or more hours a day on housework and childcare (equivalent to 20 hours a week – or a part time job)2; and the traditional gender role that men are expected to handle their responsibilities on their own with an “it’s on me” mentality3, reinforces how society’s gender stereotypes are holding us back.
The rise of women is not about the fall of men. Choosing to challenge gender biases of both men and women is needed if we are to continue making positive gains in gender equality.
Advocacy, inclusive mindsets, and tangible actions are needed from all.
It’s when we choose to challenge ourselves and hold ourselves accountable that we create momentum. Asking ourselves how we want to show up for our friends, families, and colleagues, while having courageous conversations and challenging unconscious bias, is how we can make a difference.
Change comes from people and that work needs to happen when it’s easy and when it’s hard. There have been moments when I’ve worked a long day when I don’t want to put in the effort, but I tell myself I need to be the change I want to see. This doesn’t feel like stepping up or leaning in, instead it feels necessary.
Candace Surette, CPA, CA
Director of Quality
The work doesn’t stop today. At Crowe MacKay we are committed to challenging ourselves every day in order to create an inclusive culture where every employee feels safe to be their authentic self.
From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge.
2Study conducted by McKinsey & Company: Women in the Workplace 2020 Report
