While women have been riding the wave of entrepreneurship for decades, industry recognition only gained traction in the last couple of years. The recent report from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2023/24 highlights a rise in women’s startup activity from 6.1% to 10.4% over the last twenty years across 30 countries. The same research shows that France, Hungary, and the Netherlands are leading the way.
Why is this so? The answer is straightforward: women often bring leadership styles that emphasise collaboration, inclusivity, and holistic business strategies, contributing to economic growth while being agile.
Here’s where workplace safety becomes an integral tool for fostering productivity and efficiency. Seton UK, for example, noted that a safe environment reduces mishaps, enhances confidence, and improves employee retention.
So, what’s the secret sauce to ensure women entrepreneurs’ workplace safety and well-being? Read on for more.
Challenges faced by female entrepreneurs
Before discussing strategies, let’s consider some common challenges every woman faces at some point in her career. One common hurdle is multitasking or wearing multiple hats within one business.
Statistics show that 90% of employees report undertaking tasks beyond their job descriptions. Furthermore, in the project management industry, 59% of managers oversee 2-5 projects simultaneously, while 11% handle 6-10 projects.
Another challenge is finding a balance between personal and professional life. Surprisingly enough, men do it more efficiently; the reason behind it, however, is still unknown. As Entrepreneur puts it, 62% of women provide more than 20 hours of weekly care compared to 38% of men.
The last, and probably the biggest challenge is gender-based discrimination, followed by harassment. This is mainly traceable in leadership (or C-level) roles, with 40% of female entrepreneurs reporting experiencing gender-based discrimination in leadership roles.
Looking at the facts, women more often than not face biases and encounter sexism, making the job process not so easy.
Strategies for Implementing Workplace Safety Measures
Knowing the deep root of the problem, let’s now look at the strategy.
First, regular safety audits and risk assessments should be conducted. These should be performed at least once a year, but a more frequent approach is more effective.
With the audits, you can identify any gaps in the safety procedures and compare the company’s current state with actual operations. This, in a sense, also ensures the regulatory compliance.
Second, invest in ongoing safety training and education. Such an approach helps employees stay up-to-date on safety practices and protocols. Consider implementing engaging and informative sessions to make the training more memorable (and less boring).
The common topics of such protocols include hazard identification, emergency procedures, proper use of PPE, and safe work practices.
Lastly, establish safety protocols and emergency procedures for various scenarios, such as serious injuries, explosions, floods, and chemical spills. Identifying potential emergencies and how alarms will be raised is always a good practice.
Plus, plan the response actions, including contacting emergency services. Most importantly, competent people should be in charge when an emergency happens.
Bottom line: workplace safety for women entrepreneurs cannot be overstated.
As women continue to make strides in entrepreneurship, prioritizing safety and well-being in business operations is crucial. This way, you can reduce workplace accidents and fatalities, increase productivity and efficiency, improve employee morale and engagement, and enhance the company’s reputation while complying with legal requirements and ethical norms.
Remember, these strategies will be your guiding stars to reaching that golden mine of safety and well-being for women entrepreneurs. Plus, invest in ongoing safety training and education for all employees, establish clear safety protocols and emergency procedures, and foster open communication about health and safety concerns.
And, most importantly, lead by example and hold managers accountable for implementing best practices. Here you have it – now you know everything on workplace safety and well-being for women entrepreneurs.