Gender Equality in the Workplace
In celebration of Gender Equality Month and International’s Women’s Day, we’ve gathered articles from the MIT SMR library focused on furthering gender equality and progress in organizations, reducing bias in hiring and promotion, and supporting physical, mental, and emotional health within the workforce.

Getting Action-Oriented About Gender and Racial Equity at Work
Three recent books on workplace sexism and racism highlight concrete actions leaders can take to support diversity.
Ally MacDonald
Promoting Equality from the Top

Culture
The Toxic Culture Gap Shows Companies Are Failing Women
Employers must recognize that women are 41% more likely to experience toxic culture in the workplace than men are.
Donald Sull and Charles Sull

Diversity & Inclusion
Women Are Stalling Out on the Way to the Top
Analysis shows that women in senior leadership are largely stuck in support functions, not moving into key operating roles.
Monika Hamori et al.

Developing Strategy
Make Gender Equality a Value, Not a Priority
To make gender equality a reality, organizations need to look at values, not priorities.
Katie Mehnert

Boards & Corporate Governance
Why the Influence of Women on Boards Still Lags
The number of women on corporate boards has risen substantially over the past decade, but the growth rate is slowing. Why?
Kimberly A. Whitler and Deborah A. Henretta

Leading Change
Gender Diversity at the Board Level Can Mean Innovation Success
Recruiting women directors can pave the way for long-term support of innovation and creativity.
J. Yo-Jud Cheng and Boris Groysberg
Supporting a Diverse Leadership Pipeline


Performance Management
How to Help High Achievers Overcome Imposter Syndrome
Morela Hernandez and Christina Lacerenza

Managing Your Career
Are Mentors Modeling Toxic ‘Ideal Worker’ Norms?
Rajashi Ghosh and Sanghamitra (Sonai) Chaudhuri

Diversity & Inclusion
How Women of Color Can Drive Corporate Transformation
Deepa Purushothaman, interviewed by Deborah Milstein

Leadership Skills
Getting Representative Sponsorship Right in Your Organization
Curtis L. Odom and Charn P. McAllister
Breaking Bias in Hiring and Promotion

Diversity & Inclusion
How Empathy and Competence Promote a Diverse Leadership Culture
Grace Lordan and Teresa Almeida


Protecting Women’s Health and Safety

Diversity & Inclusion
How Organizations Can Take a Lead in Protecting Reproductive Rights
Bobbi Thomason et al.

Diversity & Inclusion
Workplace Toxicity Is Not Just a Mental Health Issue
Deepa Purushothaman and Valerie Rein

Using Technology to Advance Gender Equality

AI & Machine Learning
Could AI Be the Cure for Workplace Gender Inequality?
Artificial intelligence is beginning to replace many of the workplace roles that men dominate.
Megan Beck and Barry Libert

Analytics & Business Intelligence
A Data-Driven Approach to Identifying Future Leaders
Some companies are using assessment tools to help identify employees with leadership potential.
Stacey Philpot and Kelly Monahan

AI & Machine Learning
Real Talk: Intersectionality and AI
In artificial intelligence, race and gender too often generate a bias double whammy.