NCWIT Celebrates International Women’s Day 2019 with 25 Ways to #BalanceForBetter | National Center for Women & Information Technology

NCWIT Celebrates International Women’s Day 2019 with 25 Ways to #BalanceForBetter

In honor of International Women’s Day 2019, NCWIT shared 25 tips that anyone can use to help reduce bias and gender discrimination in the tech workplace. This day is set aside by the global community to honor women’s achievements while also drawing attention to the work that still needs to be done in the weeks and months to come. In that spirit, we hope you’ll take these tips as a starting place for your own exploration of what you can do to help make your workplace more inclusive for women and other underrepresented minorities.

Visible, explicit support from top leadership is critical when it comes to transforming the culture of a workplace and eliminating gender bias. // 10 Actionable Ways to Actually Increase Diversity in Tech  
Reduce the stigma around flexible work options by sharing information with all employees (not just women) who might benefit. // 13 Tips for Having Conversations About Flexible Work Options: For Managers

Having a page at your company’s website dedicated to diversity and inclusion helps show your commitment to culture change; just make sure it isn’t the only place these topics can be found. // 9 Tips for Creating Inclusive Corporate Websites
When witnessing workplace discrimination or bias, it is sometimes more effective to avoid accusations and instead invite clarification (e.g., “What do you mean by that?”). // Interrupting Bias in Industry Settings
For work events and conferences, establish a code of conduct with explicit anti-harassment policies and guidelines for appropriate behavior. // 13 Tips to Make Technical Conferences More Inclusive
Involving “majority group” members in change efforts — and not relying on marginalized employees to advance diversity goals — demonstrates that inclusivity is a human issue and a business issue, NOT a “special interest.” // 10 Actionable Ways to Actually Increase Diversity in Tech  
When you talk about how you have utilized flexible scheduling to meet family needs or pursue outside interests, this helps normalize the practice and give coworkers and employees more confidence to explore supportive scheduling options. // 13 Tips for Having Conversations About Flexible Work Options: For Managers
When crafting a diversity statement, emphasize that you value an inclusive workplace for its many benefits — not just your compliance with equal opportunity regulations. // 9 Tips for Creating Inclusive Corporate Websites
When deciding whether or not to intervene in a situation of workplace bias, consider how your own gender, race, employment status, or other identities might influence what you feel you could or could not say or do. // Interrupting Bias in Industry Settings

When planning a conference or professional development series, be sure that individuals from underrepresented groups are invited to speak about technical topics, not only about diversity topics. // 13 Tips to Make Technical Conferences More Inclusive
Are your company’s job descriptions worded in a way that encourages people with more typically masculine traits and experiences to apply? Check for biased language in job postings and recruitment materials. // 10 Actionable Ways to Actually Increase Diversity in Tech  
Allow managers in different departments to determine what scheduling options are best suited to the type of work their team members do. // 13 Tips for Having Conversations About Flexible Work Options: For Managers
In your promotional materials, use case studies and testimonials from a diverse range of people to help potential employees from many different backgrounds see themselves in your company. // 9 Tips for Creating Inclusive Corporate Websites
Stepping in to interrupt workplace bias can have both costs and benefits, so it’s important to weigh various factors, and decide whether taking action might be too costly for yourself or for someone else. // Interrupting Bias in Industry Settings

Actively invite ALL of your employees to participate in diversity-related trainings and activities — not just those perceived to have a “special interest.” // 13 Tips to Make Technical Conferences More Inclusive
Managers can make a difference by consciously seeking out talented employees from underrepresented groups and giving them opportunities to further develop their skills. // 10 Actionable Ways to Actually Increase Diversity in Tech  
We’ve all heard someone say, “You can’t be as productive working from home.” Interrupt and correct statements that stigmatize working outside of a traditional office setting. // 13 Tips for Having Conversations About Flexible Work Options: For Managers
Your company website is often the first point of contact, so work with a web design expert to make sure it is user-friendly, inclusive, and accessible. // 9 Tips for Creating Inclusive Corporate Websites
For bystanders who witness discrimination happening, benefits of intervening can include reducing the harm experienced, reducing future bias, shifting norms, and increasing the bystander’s self-esteem. // Interrupting Bias in Industry Settings
Ensure that diverse teams are involved in planning major company initiatives, campaigns, and conferences. // 13 Tips to Make Technical Conferences More Inclusive

Data is your friend! Keeping track of the relevant numbers helps you determine which of your diversity initiatives are having the most impact, and where there’s still room for improvement. // 10 Actionable Ways to Actually Increase Diversity in Tech  
Know what options your company offers for scheduling and work-from-home flexibility, so you’ll be better equipped to help employees find an arrangement where they can thrive. // 13 Tips for Having Conversations About Flexible Work Options: For Managers
Consider asking all job applicants to provide evidence of their own commitment to diversity. This not only shows that diversity is valued, but also connects it to business outcomes. // 9 Tips for Creating Inclusive Corporate Websites
When considering how to respond to bias you witness in the workplace, think about whether it would be more helpful to intervene in the moment, or follow up at a later time. // Interrupting Bias in Industry Settings
Organizing a conference? Removing names and author affiliations when reviewing proposals has been shown to increase the diversity of applicants accepted in a variety of contexts. // 13 Tips to Make Technical Conferences More Inclusive

Scroll to Top