European Best Practice: Women at Work

Lehman Brothers Centre for Women: Corporate Best Practice in Europe

Executives in Europe are increasingly recognising the importance of integrating women into their organisations.  This research describes the intiatives that European companies are taking to inspire women at work.  There are numerous practices and processes that impact on the employee's experience, their capacity to reach full potential and to make a contribution to their organisation.  The focus in the study is on the practices and processes that have a gender implication, ultimately identifying four waves of intervention.

• Wave 1:  Measurement and reporting
• Wave 2 : Enabling women to be wives, mothers and carers
• Wave 3: Creating supportive networks
• Wave 4: Preparing women to be leaders.

In conclusion, after reviewing all four waves of intervention it becomes apparent that many companies are engaged in the first three waves, at least at policy level.  However , what is also clear is the fourth possible wave -to actively develop women as leaders-  is the least developed of all.  It is clear the majority of companies studied, women have less access to critical leadership development roles.

For further information contact:

Lehman Brothers Centre for Women in Business

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