Female leadership

Gender inequalities have long been present in the professional sphere. Despite numerous advances in Quebec, including the creation of gender-balanced teams, female leadership still presents its share of challenges. It must also be acknowledged that parity is not the only obstacle women face in the workplace.

Glass Ceilings and Cliffs

In the highest levels of corporate management, women are still very often underrepresented and confined to roles in communications, human resources, and public relations. They frequently encounter glass ceilings. These invisible barriers prevent women from climbing the corporate ladder. They must also be wary of the glass cliffs that appear when companies in crisis suddenly turn more towards women for leadership positions, thus placing them at greater risk of failure and collapse—hence the connection to the cliff. The norms, rules, and policies governing these positions are often based on male models. A workplace without policies to combat gender discrimination is an environment conducive to harassment.

Informal Networks

One obstacle to women's professional development is the culture of informal networks, or rather, the lack thereof. Men, who are better at balancing work and personal life, tend to more easily form privileged circles for sharing important information outside the workplace. These informal networks are quite common and amplify male dominance in the workplace. For a healthy work environment, it is essential to ensure the inclusion of women in external activities and in meetings at the office.

Civility in the Workplace

According to Laurie-Pier Croteau, manager of a fast-food restaurant for the past two years, the biggest obstacle to female leadership is men questioning her authority. "It often happens that a technician or customer asks to speak with a male manager rather than meet me at my own establishment," she says. She shares that the world of management is often associated with men and that it is difficult for her to carve out a place for herself. It is important to ensure parity in the workplace and to provide training, protocols, and resources to protect teams from all forms of incivility and gender-based discrimination. Just like men, women leaders can be considerable assets to their work environment.