Work Wellness Institute

Published purpose

This 20-month systemic change project will help advance the economic security and prosperity, and representation in leadership and decision-making roles of women, and people who identify as women, by engaging employers to create inclusive workplaces in order to harness their talent, reduce absenteeism, retain employees, and enhance performance. Work Wellness Institute (WWI)’s Workplaces Working for Women: Employer Development Program will offer tailored initiatives addressing ongoing workplace barriers such as gender bias and stereotypes, pay inequity, harassment, challenges to work-life balance, limited access to mentorship and opportunity, lack of representation in leadership, and absence of policies and accommodation addressing pregnancy loss or menopause in the workplace. Utilizing research and educational programs, the project will influence systemic change in workplace culture. Key activities include: strengthening WWI's network by collaborating with employers, advocacy groups, and academics; planning and hosting two conferences to facilitate cross-collaboration and discussion on emerging issues; developing educational resources and toolkits for inclusivity and three eCourses, (including tailored orientation packages and focusing on responsive work processes and environments for women's advancement); piloting an in-person training workshop with HR professionals to support implementation of the eCourses’ content and employee handbook; and continuously engaging stakeholders and updating materials for relevance and impact. A comprehensive external evaluation plan will also be implemented to assess program effectiveness with external stakeholders.