From differences to strengths: Nurturing diversity, equity, and inclusion

Raghav Gupta in an interview with ET Edge, delves into the gender diversity goals for the company and how to address the roots of the issues women face in workplace.

What is your gender diversity goals and initiatives? How does that tie to the mission of the company?

Coursera was founded to provide universal access to world-class learning. Our mission is deeply rooted in our business. It is what inspires our team to make high-quality education a growing reality for millions of learners around the world, including more opportunities for women to learn the skills they need to thrive in the workplace. 

We believe that the pursuit of a more equitable world demands that companies make diversity and inclusion a top priority, cultivating a workplace culture that values and supports individuals from diverse backgrounds. We encourage a culture of learn-change-grow, empowering women to grow in their careers and achieve their full potential. We are continuously evaluating and improving our DE&I agenda by refining recruitment practices, enhancing employee retention efforts, measuring employee belonging scores, and evolving our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).

Our flexible policies like ‘work from anywhere’ allow opportunities for personal and professional growth and encourage work-life balance. Our global organizational structure enables collaboration with colleagues worldwide, and we offer support for well-being through programs with professional therapists and career coaches.

How can organizations address the barriers that have added to the pandemic’s outsized impact on women in the workforce?

The pandemic disproportionately affected women in the workforce, underlining the following needs for concerted efforts from employers to mitigate the adverse impact and create favorable and supportive conditions. 

• Offer flexible and supportive work arrangements: By adopting a ‘work from anywhere’ or hybrid work policy and extending benefits like childcare, healthcare allowances, and mental health support, companies can create a conducive working environment where women can perform their best despite disruptions.
• Invest in learning and development opportunities: The pandemic has disrupted career growth and development for many women. Companies must prioritize women’s participation in L&D programs, with a particular focus on providing flexible learning opportunities that cover both technical and soft skills.
• Cultivate leadership skills: Workshops and training on professional skills like communication, problem-solving, and career management can help women take on new and expanded roles. Lifelong learning opportunities will enable more women to gain the skills and confidence they need to take on leadership roles. 
• Promote gender diversity and inclusion: Creating a culture that supports gender diversity and inclusion can help organizations attract and retain talented women. This should include policies such as pay equity, mentorship and sponsorship programs, and diversity and inclusion training for all employees. Companies should also implement inclusive hiring practices such as setting diversity goals, utilizing diverse hiring panels, and targeting a diverse candidate pool.

What advice would you give to women preparing for a career comeback after a long break, particularly regarding their apprehensions about their outdated skills?

A good start would be to evaluate the in-demand roles, assess one’s skills and determine where they should advance. Learning through online and offline sources can be a valuable resource for acquiring new-age skills while networking through professional organizations and industry leaders can provide valuable insights and opportunities. 

Many women already excel in skills related to working with people and self-management, such as resilience, stress tolerance, and flexibility.

These can be further honed through courses on building a personal brand, career management, problem solving and well-being. Proficiency in language, both spoken and written, is also vital for career growth and to leverage opportunities in the globalized economy. As AI and data continue to shape the business landscape, I recommend women to take courses that also teach in-demand digital skills such as data analysis, data-driven decision-making, digital marketing, and e-commerce.

A holistic approach to developing both digital and human skills will enable more women to thrive in the modern workplace.