Honeywell Group’s Leading Female Executives Speak On Fostering Inclusivity, Equity in The Workplace

In a special interview by Her Network Online, a global inspiration and lifestyle platform, five executives from leading Nigerian investment holding company, Honeywell Group (HGL), discussed critical issues facing women in the workplace in Africa, including equity and inclusion. 

The company’s Senior Adviser, Government Relations, Oluwayemisi Busari; Chief Financial Officer, Kemi Adeoye; Head, Governance and Sustainability, Yewande Giwa; General Counsel, Olasumbo Abolaji; and Head of Corporate Services, Tomi Otudeko shared their experience, leadership tips and how the company has been deliberate about championing equity while providing an inclusive and safe space for women in its workplace.

Earlier, in celebration of Women’s Day, the company had also released a video of its women discussing the theme of the global day.

Speaking on the importance of embracing equity and inclusion among its workforce, Oluwayemisi Busari stated that inclusion in the workplace is non-negotiable.

Buttressing her point, she said, “it is very important that an environment that takes up so much of our time allows and encourages equity. There must be a conscious effort to ensure that workers are given fair and equitable opportunities based on their unique needs. This includes increased participation in efforts that support female engagement in the industry. And as such, the first step is to establish a culture that encourages and demands an inclusive workplace”.

Olasumbo Abolaji, General Counsel, Honeywell Group, stated that the Group has remained intentional about ensuring women were well represented across the different cadres of the organisation.

She said: “at HGL, we have about 60% female representation in executive leaderhsip, and we make a deliberate effort to provide an inclusive and safe space for women. From positions of management down the different levels of our organisation, we ensure that women are given the support required to upskill, grow and reach their full potential. It is important for us to provide a safe environment where women have equal opportunities to thrive and is flexible enough to accommodate their unique needs”.

A recent study revealed that women received higher job-performance ratings but lower ratings for ‘potential’.

According to the study, women also received fewer promotions despite outperforming their male counterparts.

Tomi Otudeko reiterated that leaders play a critical role in enabling an environment that will embrace equity in the workplace.

In her words, “leaders can create and embrace equity in the workplace by first creating a more diverse space, understanding the importance of equity, and promoting it and bridging the wage gap. It is important to be proactive in addressing inequities in the workplace, such as pay disparities, under-representation of certain groups in leadership positions, and taking action to address any instances of bias or discrimination that are identified.”

Kemi Adeoye added: “it is vital to recognize the value of inclusivity. Leaders should start by recognizing the difficulties that women encounter in the workplace. Regular evaluations of inclusion metrics, including hiring and promotion rates, and pay equity could be used to achieve this. Leaders need to also implement policies and practices such as flexible work arrangements and mentorship. By doing this, they can create a workplace where all workers feel appreciated, respected, and encouraged to deliver their best work.”

Beyond its workforce, HGL has also invested in initiatives that enable bridging the gap and ensuring inclusivity.

Yewande Giwa pointed out how the company’s targeted initiatives promote inclusion.

According to her, “our CSR activities are targeted at initiatives that promote inclusion and access to equal opportunities. For instance, one of the goals of our partnership with the Lagos State Government is to increase digital inclusion for women.

“Honeywell Group in an over three-year partnership with LSETF (Lagos State Employment Trust Fund) has been funding the Lagos Innovates Talent Development Programme, an initiative to upskill young people in Lagos State to promote tech entrepreneurship and provide greater employment opportunities. We are pleased and encouraged by the year-on-year increase in the number of female candidates, and we continue to be dedicated to creating a talent pool of Nigerian tech experts who can successfully compete with their international counterparts.”

Honeywell Group is a leading Nigerian investment holding company that has a portfolio of diversified businesses in different sectors such as -technology, real estate, energy, infrastructure, and financial services.

The company lives out its mission of creating enduring value that transcends generations through ways like funding and supporting startups and tech-enabled businesses.