From the perspective of mobility and HR, workplace diversity and inclusion is core to Relocate Global’s editorial agenda because international experience is a pathway to career progression at senior levels. Equality of opportunity in assignment selection is a critical piece of the wider HR and talent picture.

Women in global mobility

Figures are very hard to come by, but estimates suggest women comprise only around 20 per cent of total assignment volume. More research could give us an insight into the actual figures, why this is the case, and the levers for change in talent management, policy design and global mobility support.What is evident is that these ongoing inequalities and limited diversity are at odds with what we know good business looks like in the 21st century and the “three Ts” of trust, talent and technology.Companies know they can no longer overlook or undervalue the skills and talents of women the world over. Reputation, organisational performance and trust are at stake.Technology has also given us the tools to screen out gender markers in online job applications and recruitment literature, job specifications and policies.And yes, there is a real sense the ground is shifting, both in business and wider society. But the truth is, time is not on our side.Of the 2,516 large companies filing their first median hourly pay gap now required by legislation in the UK, three-quarters pay men more. At current rates, it will take two centuries for women’s pay to achieve parity with men.

Think Women event

To change practice, we also need to change behaviours. Every participant in the room at Think Women made a powerful and personal commitment to take steps to help redress the balance.These ranged from restarting career mentoring relationships with young people, to securing research funding to explore the way forward from a sound evidence base, to seeking the support of a career coach.If enough people take small steps towards better gender balance in the workplace and in global mobility, then perhaps we won’t need an International Women’s Day.

Join us

If you’re interested in joining the Think Women Relocate Global community, these are just some of the areas at the top of the agenda for organisations where we can make a real difference:

• International assignments for women
• Family support including career development
• Gender pay gap
• Leadership development and coaching
• Giving back to women
• Engagement with schools and further/higher education

If you would like to get involved with Think Women, our lively new virtual and face-to-face global community, then please email Charlotte Wilkinson  or call +44 (0)1892 891334We also welcome your editorial contributions editorial@relocatemagazine.com

Think outside the box

Explore what the future holds for global mobility teams. Don’t miss our Festival of Global Mobility Thinking on 11 May 2018. The full-day interactive event will feature a host of speakers, exhibitors and roundtables to explore how innovation and new technologies are driving companies through a rapidly evolving business landscape. Book now.Gala Awards Dinner, Thursday 10 May: Join us for a night of celebration at the UnderGlobe beneath Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London SE1 9DT. Book here.

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Read more about the women in industry in the Spring issue of our magazine

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For related news and features, visit our Leadership and Management section.Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online Directory  _{©2018. This article first appeared in the Spring 2018 edition of Relocate magazine, published by Profile Locations, Spray Hill, Hastings Road, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JB. All rights reserved. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Profile Locations. Profile Locations accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.}