How to Push for Policy Changes at Your Company | Women at Work | Podcast

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So many of the systems in our workplaces exclude or disadvantage women. Think about unequal pay or a lack of support and flexibility for those who are caregivers. We're not the problem. Systemic bias is, and it's leaders' responsibility to fix it at an organizational level.

But what if you heard about a novel program or policy that you believe your company should adopt? What if leaders are ignoring problems that have tried and true solutions if they'd only try them? How can you instigate change yourself?

Maybe you want childcare subsidies or comprehensive health coverage or paid parental leave.

Perhaps you want an ombuds office, or have HR do a pay equity audit and then straighten out whatever inequities it reveals.

Or to democratize a leadership development program so that it's genuinely open to everyone.

That all sounds great, but how?

Where does one begin? [upbeat music]

You're listening to Women at Work from Harvard Business Review. I'm Amy Bernstein.

And I'm Amy Gallo. [upbeat music] Overhauling, building, or dismantling any corporate system is an undertaking, and no one can do it alone. If you're embarking on systemic change, you'll need to pull in your work friends and make new ones as you all network across departments and hierarchies to gather information and support. There's a lot of thinking to do and groundwork to lay. Buy-in probably won't come quickly or easily. Conflicts are likely to arise. The effort might even stall at some point or shift its focus. Success isn't guaranteed.

But imagine if you achieve the goal you set for yourself, that you had a hand in your organizations paying women better, treating them better, advancing them better. Those are achievements you'll never forget. Feeling motivated yet? Well, we've brought in two experienced change makers to both inspire you and explain exactly how to get the work going. Lily Zheng is a strategist who advises leaders on how to create diversity, equity, and inclusion. They just released a new book called DEI Deconstructed. Lily's been on the show a couple of times before, and we're delighted to have them back.

Ashley Lewis has leadership roles within the Coalition of Labor Union Women and the United Auto Workers Women's Department. She mobilizes women to campaign for what they collectively need and then advises them on how to bargain strategically with leadership. [upbeat music] Lily, Ashley, thank you so much for coming on the show today.

Yeah, thanks for having us.

Yes, thank you. It's truly an honor to be here.

Lily, I wanna start with you. Could you share an example of an organizational change that you've seen happen or were involved-

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