Comparing numbers (Lies, Damned Lies & Statistics)

According to some media reports, as much as $9.5 trillion has been wiped off global stock markets since the announcement of tariffs on trade in the US last Wednesday.

Last Friday was also the final submission date for companies to provide their gender pay gap reporting in the UK. Our Men for Inclusion analysis shows that the median pay gap has improved by a whopping 0.1 pence with the gap now at 11.4 pence. If we continue to improve at the same rate, the median gender pay gap will not be closed until 2126.

McKinsey research shows that a conservative estimate of the gains of a gender-equal workplace would add $12 trillion to global GDP, based on countries matching the progress of the fastest-improving peers in the region.

Which of these data points are hogging the media headlines? Many companies will be suggesting that they have far more important things to do right now than worry about equity in the workplace.

I empathise with businesses in challenging conditions, but with such a sizeable benefit available, is now the time to put Inclusion efforts on the back burner?

The opportunity is in front of us. If we can build the right culture in our organisations that will attract the future workforce that we need, then not only will people find themselves happier at work, our organisations will be more profitable too.

Now is the time to refocus efforts and ensure our programmes to transform workplace cultures have the continued investment and executive attention that is necessary. The business case demands it.