By Paola Ardiles MHSc.

We know that power dynamics play out in bullying situations in schools amongst children. We also know the  detrimental and long-lasting effects. Have we examined how power is operating in workplaces, in relation to women?

What do you do when your child’s school phones you in the middle of the day, and asks you to pick him up because he has a fever and is throwing up? You have a deadline at 3pm and a meeting in 20 minutes. You have no family in town. Your partner is either nonexistent, or out of town at a trade show. What do you do?

Does your workplace support you in these scenarios? Is your workplace organized in ways the support women? Do they provide you with the technology to work from home, or have flexible working hours? Do they prioritize family health issues over deadlines? Do they provide you with on-site daycare programs? Are you expected to be answering emails on weekends or during family dinner time?

We have come a long way since we earned the right to vote. Yet, women still take on the majority of childcare and housework chores, in addition to having pressure to be successful in the ‘real world’ out there. So, how are we measuring our success as women in the workplace? Is it the title of our jobs? How early we come into the office? How many degrees we have earned?

Or better yet, who is deciding what success looks like for women in the workforce? I wonder what our children would answer to that question? I asked my 9 year old son how would he know if I was successful at work? He responded “that’s easy mom…you would be happy and have lots of friends at work!”

Maybe we should be thinking about Bhutan’s measure of social progress based on the GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS INDEX, which measures community vitality, cultural diversity and resilience, not just economic growth!

It is so important to redefine success, and identify ways and means of promoting women’s mental well-being in the workplace, particularly given our multiple roles as care providers at home and in our communities.

Let’s support our organizations to develop healthy teams, supportive work environments, healthy relationships both at work and at home. Let’s look for new ways to work together, not based on hierarchies and dysfunctional power dynamics, but on collaboration and caring. Let’s tap into our unique strengths and our creative natures; where building relationships, being passionate and deeply committed, are seen as valuable qualities for organizations. Our assets help organizations grow; both in productivity and innovation!