International Women’s Day 2024: Inspiring Inclusion

With this year’s International Women’s Day celebrating inclusion, I asked some of Reddico’s leading ladies how it feels to be a professional woman in 2024. Covering the topics of gender equality and career progression, they offer some valuable insights into the ways in which modern workplaces are filling the gaps and inspiring inclusion for women across their teams.

Interviewees

• Midweight Content Writer: Jess Plumtree

• Finance Director: Vicki Salih

• PPC Manager: Katie Layzell

• Senior Designer and Developer: Holly Yelland

• Senior Technical SEO Consultant: Eva Mermingi

 

Firstly, how do you feel Reddico inspires inclusion for women?

Holly

Reddico actively fosters an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and respected. There is a culture of respect and collaboration here that makes me feel valued and supported in my role.

Jess

It’s fantastic to see so many amazing women in lots of different roles at Reddico. I don’t feel that we’re confined to one team – instead, we have women doing a great job in so many areas of the business. We also have some inspiring female leads, and it’s great to see them navigating all the challenges that role brings in their own way. I don’t have children, but I think flexible working means that people who do are able to manage their caring responsibilities without feeling like it’s an issue. Because other team members use it to pop to appointments, walk their dog or go to the gym, it’s not unusual to see someone with their status set to ‘back later’. 

It’s nice to see women here aren’t forced to choose between being at their desk or going to see their child’s school play. And they don’t have to hide it either. On a practical note, it’s clear that the policies we have in place are designed for everyone, and that Reddico is always looking to improve them – one example being the menstruation pain and menopause policy. Even having those in the handbook is more than many companies.

Eva

Reddico is a beacon of inclusivity where, beyond ticking the boxes, they ensure women feel at home. Here, it's not about gender; it's about vision. 

Katie

Reddico offers equal training and career matrix opportunities and transparency, including the Gender Pay Gap Report and Annual Impact Report. Our agency is an advocate for breastfeeding in the workplace, and also recognises menstruation pain and menopause, and is supportive that these factors are a part of life which makes for an inclusive workplace.

Does your work culture empower you both as a professional and as a woman, or is there still a gap here?

Holly

Fortunately, my experience at Reddico has been very positive in terms of feeling empowered both as a professional and as a woman. Reddico actively addresses any gaps in its work culture through continuous feedback which is reassuring.

Jess

Honestly, I think the gap is in my brain. Sometimes, I feel like I’m talking too much, being annoying or I’m being too ‘bossy’, but I know that this probably isn’t true, it’s just hard to remember that! As women, we can feel sorry for just taking up space, but I know I deserve to be in my job. My coach has been so helpful at challenging me to think differently on this (another fantastic woman, Delivery Lead Laura Tyler). 

As well as the flexible working, one of the things I really love about working at Reddico is that I’ve been able to bring ideas to the table since I started. Even when I was a junior, there was no bias because of my gender or experience level – my team has always been open to new ideas. It makes me feel valued and respected, and pushes me to try new things.

Eva

Oh, empowering! It's kind of like a superpower that gives an extra kick to your professional power and offers enough to your female identity. True, there's still room for improvement, but that is a very good base.

Katie

I feel Reddico's policy of flexible working and unlimited holiday allows for a manageable work-life balance.

How do you manage juggling the multiple roles professional women have to play?

Holly

I think it’s important to have a strong support network around you, both at work and at home. It's also important to prioritise self-care and recognise that it's okay to ask for help when needed.

Jess

Big question! I don’t have it all sorted. I try to be authentic in everything that I do, although that’s definitely easier sometimes than others. When I first started out in my career, I thought that I needed to be a certain way at work, and then I felt almost like a different person when I was at home. Now, there of course are professional boundaries, but the more myself I am, the easier it feels to move between different roles I play in my life. 

I also swear by planning – anyone who knows me knows I love a to-do list. I use them so that I don’t have to try and hold so much information in my brain, and also it forces me to see if there are things I can outsource or delegate, rather than just feeling overwhelmed. This is good for work, but also for home, so that my partner and I can share the load. It’s too easy to think you need to do everything yourself.

Eva

Think circus performers, only make it fashion and with a lot more email! It's art. Science. Sheer willpower. And coffee. Lots of coffee.

Katie

Lists! I always write a list at the beginning of my working day. Writing it down clears all the tasks lingering in my head and I can then visually see what is a priority and how many tasks I have to complete. Breaking down my working day into tasks and time slots allows me to take breaks. 

Do you feel you have access to equal opportunities in your career? Have you always?

Holly

I'm grateful to say that I've always felt that I have access to equal opportunities in my career. I think sometimes confidence has held me back from always pursuing opportunities, but that’s something you can grow and learn from.

Jess

I do now, and I really like that our career matrixes are so clear, rather than having to wait for a manager to suddenly decide I’m worthy of more responsibility. The thing I haven't worked out is what to do if I have children. Reddico’s policies are great, but I wish other companies would catch up so that it would be realistic to discuss whether it would be me or my partner taking parental leave. 

In previous roles, I’ve felt like I have to work harder to prove that I deserve to be in the room, and to be listened to. Particularly in corporate environments, there’s such a bias towards people who are dominant characters, with empathy, creativity and a caring nature seen as ‘weaker’. If I’ve spoken out about something in other roles I’ve been seen as annoying or bossy, and asking for new responsibilities has been seen as pushy. 

Eva

Well, in terms of equal opportunities, I always felt that it was the ambition and skillset that mattered, not the gender. And that's always a good feeling to have from a working environment.

Katie

This is a tricky one. I've noticed since becoming a mum of two that your career can be put ‘on hold’ for a while. Childcare is expensive, and I work part-time so I can remain working and 'stay in the loop', but I can imagine lots of women don't return back to work because of costs. I'm fortunate that I am able to do my job part-time and maintain a career until I have the capacity to progress, but I feel this isn't the case for the majority.

This also relates to 'the motherhood penalty', where working mothers encounter disadvantages in the workplace. It’s a significant factor in driving the gender pay gap, with loss of earnings due to childcare and slower career progression after returning to work. 

What would one piece of advice be to a young woman wanting to progress in your field?

Holly

My advice to a young woman aspiring to progress in my field would be to never underestimate the power of your voice and your unique perspective. Don't be afraid to speak up, share your ideas, and advocate for yourself. Seek out mentors who can support and guide you along the way, and don't be discouraged by challenges or setbacks. 

Jess

Lean in to who you are, don’t be afraid to have an opinion – and don’t preface it with ‘this might be silly, but…’. Your perspective and experiences mean that you’re different to everyone else, and that’s a good thing. The world needs different views and voices.

Eva

Jump in, speak out, and never underestimate how powerful it is to just be authentically you. Because that is what makes waves. Follow your vision, your passion and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Be ready to make mistakes, but be determined to win.

Katie 

Just be yourself. I'm typically more introverted, and used to think I had to come into work with bundles of confidence to be heard more and less overlooked, when actually, authenticity and ownership of your work (mistakes and successes) goes a long way.

In conclusion

It’s clear that Reddico is ahead of the curve when it comes to enabling women to uphold a positive work-life balance. Far from restrictive, the flexible hours and strong culture provide a safe space for all to grow and develop their careers, without having to compromise on the personal aspects of life.

To conclude, Finance Director Vicki Salih shares her take on female inclusion at Reddico. 

"It’s so encouraging that Reddico is able to make its female employees feel so empowered and valued. As the first female director of the agency, I strongly echo what everyone has said above and feel that we now demonstrate our commitment to inclusion and equality more consistently throughout every level of our company. I feel very proud to be female, a mother, and a director – something that isn’t traditionally possible in many businesses."

"We have several senior females at Reddico, and I’m glad that we all feel supported to not only fulfil our ambitions professionally but also as mothers, wives and women personally. Reddico allows that to happen, and we will continue to create new opportunities for women and always promote inclusion and equality." 

About the author

Rebecca Nevin is a member of our Content Team. Before joining Reddico, she worked as an Events Supervisor at a hotel, running weddings and corporate meetings and events. With a busy family life, she especially enjoys the flexibility Reddico has provided her to begin her writing career. Rebecca enjoys horse riding and doing crafts with her children in her spare time.

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