Fair Share

Leveling the playing field—at home and at work.

The organization is broken. Decades of research show how women struggle to grow in their careers and move up into leadership positions, in part due to demands outside of work.

But it''s not working for men either. Men want to be equal partners, present parents, and active community members outside of their careers. The "ideal worker" norms of the traditional workplace, though, expect men to be present and available 24/7. This disconnect means that even when men try to take part in flexible work arrangements, they''re often stigmatized, leaving women to take up the slack and, again, miss out on professional opportunities.

If companies want to reach their full potential and achieve true fairness at work, the workplace must change—and it starts at the top. In this book, gender-in-the-workplace experts W. Brad Johnson and David G. Smith offer a blueprint for how leaders can break down systemic barriers across the organization, from culture to policies, so that men can do more outside of paid work—and women can take their place in leadership. They suggest three key areas to focus on:

• Rethinking company culture and the structure of work
• Going all-in on caregiving options and benefits for employees
• Operationalizing gender fairness through organizational process and policies

Filled with examples and interviews with both men and women, Fair Share offers a look at what organizations can become when leaders finally break down the obstacles holding everyone back. By working together, men and women can create a better workplace, one where every individual can achieve what they want—at work and at home.