Contributors
International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has shone a spotlight on key issues around gender diversity and the challenges faced by women working in the chemicals and process industry.
WBD brought together leading individuals in the North East chemicals and process community at a panel event hosted at the Wilton Centre in Teesside, home to the largest chemical complex in the UK and second largest in Europe.
The event, which was chaired by WBD managing associate Emma Welch, who helps to lead WBD's women's network, WBD Thrive, uncovered how women are facing a number of challenges in the workplace, from carrying out unseen tasks, access into the sector in the first place, support for flexible working and childcare and sometimes being the first woman in a particular role.
Panellists discussed what benefits come from having a more diverse workforce and board, what businesses can do to attract more women to the industry, and the role male allies can play in supporting women to progress and thrive.
Finding the best recruiters
Amy Smith, People Director at CPI and qualified Chemist, explained how her company have enlisted the support of STEM Returners, a programme which enables highly-qualified and experienced STEM professionals to re-start their career or transfer their skills.
Amy said:
"When there's a talent shortage and everyone is recruiting, diversifying the talent pool is key, so engaging with companies like STEM Returners, which are really focused on helping get people back into the industry, can help increase diversity in the workplace."
Diversifying job ads
Emily Anderson, Plant Manager for SEQENS and NEPIC board member, highlighted the need to include women in recruitment materials:
"It is important to have women representing various roles at various levels in the business. And the way that we try to engage the audience on LinkedIn when posting job vacancies is to actually attach a picture of both male and female colleagues, because something as simple as that can attract more women to apply, and also using inclusive language."
Recognising talent and rewarding loyalty
James Robson MBE, founder of contract chemical processing company Exwold and consultancy firm Alexander Jewitt & Co, shared one story of how his company has supported a female employee through her career:
"One of our women has been with us for 24 years and has had three periods of maternity leave. She joined in accounts, and we paid her through some qualifications, which she gladly took on and developed, and she now works in our commercial arm. You are rewarded with very loyal and good people if you give them the right environment and the flexibility to thrive."
Sharing the responsibility
Sarah Daun, Partner at WBD in its Chemical's team and trusted adviser to clients in the sector, commented how women employees often take on extracurricular projects, like pastoral or ESG work, and that businesses should do more to ensure these are evenly spread throughout teams.
Sarah said:
"I call them silent tasks that end up on our plate that are for the good of the business, but that aren't always recognised within the business. Whether that's research, supervision, management roles, things that are sort of add-ons to your day job that aren't necessarily seen. So if you are leading a team, I'd encourage you to look at the allocation of extracurricular jobs and try to make sure that they're evenly spread, and that it's not just the women who get all of those jobs."
You can find pictures from the event here:
