Beyond Glass Ceilings and Brick Walls - International Labour ...

to its employees. They will provide resources and opportunities for
effective communication to all its employees, so that they can work as
equal and responsible partners. Such work relationships and environments
will be gender sensitive and supportive of women and other socially
disempowered persons.
• Organizations are being recognized for their social responsibility of being
good employers that take care of the well-being of their workers. This is
in the long-term interest of the organization.
• Innovative methods of enabling women and men to take care of their
family responsibilities while serving the company are enabling
organizations to have better workers who are dedicated and committed.
Such strategies reduce costs of recruitment and personnel
development. Modern technology such as computers and cellular
phones are enabling work to be carried out effectively at home, thus
relieving people to take care of family while still being effectively
linked to the work station.
• Companies are realizing that it is in their interest to be socially more
responsible and be able to provide time off for child care for their
female and male employees. Strong well-developed families and
individuals create the required social environment for companies and
organizations to be effective in pursuing their goals.
• The more successful companies in the world are also those that have
liberal and open policies to take care of their employees - such as
gender sensitive policies and strategies.
• All companies work in a very competitive environment where markets
are opening up for international opportunities. In order to retain a
competitive edge over others, companies will have to treat all their
employers as equally important assets irrespective of gender
differences.
• A flattening if the organization hierarchy will be observed as more
organizations become rationalized, where people will be more multiskilled
and have less strata to report to. Responsibilities will be shared
equally. Thus, irrespective of their gender, people will be required to
work across the divide.
• Ensuring a work environment that is satisfying, enjoyable and
productive is a collective responsibility of the employers and the
employees. However, since power and resource control lie in the hands
of the employers, they should be more accountable, and take a greater
interest and initiative in instituting appropriate mechanisms and
structures for an enabling envoirnment.
61