International Women’s Day 2022: Breaking the Bias

I read the report’s recommendations, but I still knew the sector wasn’t for me. However, with my interest in language, one recommendation stood out as a relatively simple fix. The language of job descriptions could help change impressions and attract more diverse applicants. For example, using the word ‘designer’ in a job title was more likely to appeal to women. So was language about teamwork and creativity.

Changes to job titles, like using building managers instead of housekeepers or software design instead of development could increase gender diversity of applicants…The Committee notes the impact that simple changes to language and imagery can have…[and] that changes to language and imagery can be quickly, simply, and affordably made, and challenge perceptions. No Small Change, paragraphs 108–112

Four years on from that report, I read an advert for a job at Sopra Steria. It talked about designing services, improving things for the public, and working collaboratively in a team. I decided to apply and a few months later I joined a design team in a large IT company. To say it was not what I expected would be an understatement. This team has focussed more on diversity, inclusion, and challenging biases than any other I have worked in. It’s challenged my own perceptions about the sector, for the better.

The gender pay gap is just one issue facing women around the world. Fixing it will not solve the inequalities between genders still faced around the world. However, the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is breaking the bias. While challenging assumptions about the world of tech is one way to create a more diverse workforce, we have to be careful not to make new ones. It was difficult to write something for International Women’s Day without falling into stereotypes about what women want from a job, and what appeals to women. It’s also impossible to say the design team at Sopra Steria (or anywhere else) has solved the problem completely.

This International Women’s Day is my first as a woman working in STEM. That alone won’t solve the gender pay gap. But it’s been good for me to challenge my own assumptions, and to join a team that’s committed to breaking biases.

• To check for gendered language in your own job adverts, try the job advert language checker

• building a culture where people can share their experiences, not everyone has a linear route into design and we need to acknowledge it
• recruiting based on ability, enthusiasm and passion for making a difference — instead of the traditional set number of years’ experience or degree in a design-related field
• having the conversation at every level to promote diversity, inclusion and accessibility for everyone
• using our positions to make sure we advocate for everyone, including those who can’t advocate for themselves

 

By Rachel Edwards