In this final Episode of 2021, Cathy and Deborah share their favorite tips for achieving parity, discuss the latest data on women in the workplace, and look forward to 2022 and blowing up the status quo. 

Subscribe!  Time-stamped show notes are below. 

Most Positive Developments for Women in 2021

2:24 We are finally discussing unconscious bias, intersectionality challenges for women who identify as BIPOC, and burnout for women

How to Understand Unconscious Bias So We Can See Women, Only Wonder Women Need Apply: Solutions for Working Moms; Unconscious Bias: Hidden Forces Undermining Women at Work

3:34 We are pivoting towards real changes because people are being real about their needs

Most Negative Impacts for Women in 2021

6:10 Most experts believe that it will now take 135 years (up from 100 years) to achieve gender parity due to COVID's increased pressure on women

-and 1 in 3 women has considered leaving the workforce (up from 1 in 40 women considering leaving in 2020) 

McKinsey's Women in the Workplace 2021; COVID19's Impact on Women's Employment by McKinsey; COVID widened the gender gap, CNBC

8:30 Millions of women have dropped from the workforce

-women are overrepresented in underpaid jobs and some of these jobs disappeared due to COVID

-burnout resulting from gender bias at work and at home

OxFam International and Women in Low-Wage Jobs are Underpaid and Overloaded, Atlantic Monthly and McKinsey's Women in the Workplace 2021

Did the Parity Prescription Hold Up During 2021?

9:40 The Parity Prescription is:

S - Stop Trying to Change Women

C - Create Diverse Teams

R - Recognize Unconscious Bias

I - Intentionally Include

P - Partner with Men as Allies

T - Talk about the Issues

How the Parity Prescription Can Work for You

10:20 The Parity Prescription doesn't completely address the challenges of childcare

12:42 The Parity Prescription is backed by research and studies, is common sense, and aligns with basic societal expectations about how we treat each other 

Most Important Elements of the Parity Prescription

15:16 Recognize Unconscious Bias

-need broader understanding to see and recognize bias, particular by straight white men who aren't negatively impacted by gender bias

-most people want fairness but gender bias is not fair

How to Understand Unconscious Bias So We Can See Women, Only Wonder Women Need Apply: Solutions for Working Moms; Unconscious Bias: Hidden Forces Undermining Women at Work

16:44 Stop Trying to Change Women

-teaching women to empower themselves isn't enough 

-we need more authenticity in the workplace and alliances with men

Resources: How to Fight Gender Inequality with our Parity Prescription, How to Discovery and FLEX Your Authenticity at Work

Season 1 Accomplishments

Rated #6 for podcasts focused on gender!

19:30 Covered many of the fundamentals

20:55 Framework offers real solutions

-Dr. Nithila Peter and Tracy J. Edmonds added tremendous value during Season 1

Surprises and Fave Moments

22:37 Thanks to

-Faith Blackwell - photography

-Kathleen Fennessy -  logo and trademark

-Laura Scott - LLC

-Isabel Robertson - podcast editing

-Dr. Nithila Peter reviewed Season 1 scripts 

-Allison Lin gave us a shout-out in Plastics News

-we heard from so many listeners

-grateful for the men who showed up 

25:30 Explicit gender bias continues to be a problem and women often do not have a satisfactory way to deal with gender bias so they change jobs

27:40 There is too much pressure on women to keep quiet

-women are told "don't play the victim"

29:21 People of all genders rate women higher than men on 19 of 21 core leadership competencies but women aren't being promoted into leadership roles due to unconscious bias

5 Steps to Achieve Increased Leadership by Women

32:25 Tremendous resources to help impact real change including

<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Better-Allies-Everyday-Inclusive