If having a comfortable, equitable work space is important to you, it's wise to consider gender equality issues in your company. While you might have only focused on services or products up to now, it's worthwhile to look for ways to ensure that women are treated the same as men in the workplace you oversee. With these tips, gender discrimination and problems can be avoided.

Have a Policy

It all starts with what you dictate from the top. If you're giving out manuals to new hires with all the company's protocols and best practices, a section on gender discrimination is key. The manual should lay out what your company considers discrimination to be and also describe what will happen if someone is found to run afoul of the stated rules. 

If you aren't sure what needs to be in the manual, you could seek content writing assistance from gender discrimination or employment lawyers.

Train Employees

The policy is just the beginning. During orientation, new hires should have their attention drawn to the gender discrimination policies. Moreover, you might want to employ role-playing, discussions and other techniques to ensure that new workers not only understand but can practice good behavior while at work.

Review Hiring Practices

Look over your current roster of managers. If only a few of them are women, it's time to review your hiring practices. You may want to ensure that women are sitting in the interviewer's chair as often as the male managers, for instance. You might make use of mentoring programs so that when it's time to hire new managers, you can be more likely to hire women from within the company. Of course, you might also examine your pay structure to ensure that women are being paid what men make in the same positions.

Re-Evaluate Team-Building and Social Exercises

If your company offers nights out, retreats and other activities in an effort to team-build, it's smart to consider the activities and whether they're equally attractive to all genders. For instance, you may want to meet more places than the corner bar after work. 

Ask for Feedback

Asking your employees about how they can feel more empowered is always a good idea. You should make it known that you're open to suggestions and feedback. If possible, create an anonymous way of reporting feedback so that people don't feel afraid that they'll get backlash for their comments.

Lawyers who actively study and practice gender discrimination laws can be vital partners in your efforts to have an equitable working environment. Meet frequently with those attorneys to ensure a good working environment for all your employees.