3 Ways Your Gym Can Create a Supportive Workplace for Women

In recent months, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to have missed the news stories shining a light on the many challenges women face in the workplace.

The truth is, all employees should be able to participate in, and contribute to, the progress and success of an organization, and organizational leaders play an important role in creating a culture where employees are comfortable doing so.

To that end, we asked five health and fitness industry leaders (who just so happen to be women) to share their thoughts on how to create a supportive workplace for women.

Not surprisingly, a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and discrimination and a commitment to equal pay topped their lists. Here are some of the other areas that they identified as contributors to a supportive workplace culture.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Employers consistently underestimate just how precious the benefit of flexibility is. Studies have shown that benefits like flex time and informal dress code, whenever possible, can reduce stress and increase employee productivity and longevity.

Laurie Smith, Senior vice president for VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa, says she looks at the health club industry as one that is fortunate to be able to afford flexibility for staff.

“The fact that we are open 364 days a year and up to 18 hours a day gives us the opportunity to be flexible and create jobs that fit with the other areas of an employee’s life and obligations,” she says.

“Time off for family demands, such as school functions, sick children, ailing parents, etc. is essential to allow a person to function normally and with less stress,” says Linda Mitchell, the director of public and government relations for Newtown Athletic Club.

Greta Wagner, executive director/EVP of Chelsea Piers Connecticut, emphasizes the need to appreciate the importance of an employee’s work and family life, and let them know that the workplace is supportive of their role at home.

Mentoring Opportunities

Mentors provide support to their mentees during their leadership journey, hearing their ideas, fielding questions, and listening to concerns.

Lynne Brick, president of Brick Bodies Fitness Services Inc., says she believes that women learn to exercise their leadership muscle when the culture fosters mentorship and learning.

Kristen Green, executive general manager for Aquafit in Australia, and the recipient of IHRSA’s 2018 Woman Leader Award, developed a relationship with her mentor—a former member of IHRSA’s Board of Directors—while attending The IHRSA Institute; however, as Green points out, “Mentoring can be as informal as matching a more experienced employee with someone less experienced, to spend time sharing experiences and insights.”

Mitchell notes that “IHRSA’s annual Women’s Leadership Summit offers an amazing opportunity for women in fitness to network with literally hundreds of potential mentors and colleagues from around the world.”

Communication and Respect

Open communication and clear channels for feedback help to ensure that employees’ ideas and input are heard and considered, which contributes to them feeling appreciated and respected.

Wagner says she believes that all employees need to be managed to their strengths.

“Work styles need to be recognized, and work environments provided that allow for collaborative, independent, creative, and other types of work styles,” she says.

“It is important to meet an employee where they are, then move forward collaboratively,” says Brick.

Ensuring mutual respect among employees is also critical. As business grew for Brick and her husband, Victor, they began asking each of their staff to read “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” as well as “Mars and Venus in the Workplace.”

“By helping staff better understand one another from a gender perspective, [we] were able to foster better communication,” she says.

“There are many positive economic, financial, and social benefits that come from creating a supportive workplace for women,” says Green, adding, “The best results achieved will always come from a culture of cooperative support amongst employees, both males and females.”

In the end, creating a supportive workplace for women is something that leaders must actively work to incorporate into their company’s culture.

“It’s about offering women the same support we have always offered men,” Mitchell says. “Now more than ever, we must be sure we are including women every step of the way.”