This International Women's Day, World Gym International is taking the theme of "Embracing Equity" seriously. The day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women around the world and promote gender equality.
For World Gym International, this means creating a safe and inclusive environment for all its members and providing access to resources for those who may not have had the same advantages as others.
At World Gym International, we believe in harnessing the power of possibility. Our commitment to gender equality is rooted in our vision for a diverse and equitable world that fosters new ideas and opportunities. We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, celebrated, valued and heard — regardless of their gender or life experience. Today, more than ever before, we recognize the importance of empowering women in both the fitness industry and the workforce at large.
What Does Embracing Equity Mean to World Gym International?
Embracing equity means recognizing that all our team members have unique sets of needs, backgrounds and experiences. It is a core part of our corporate culture that we seek to foster an environment of inclusion and appreciation for each individual’s worth, contribution and potential. We value the diversity of our team and strive to ensure equity is embraced in decision-making processes within our organization while leading us towards achieving sustainable success. Adopting this practice gives our employees the tools they need to unleash their full potential as well as interconnectivity that can be reflected in the unique strengths of each one of its members.
This International Women's Day, World Gym International is taking the theme of "Embracing Equity" to heart. Members of the corporate team at World Gym International have shared their thoughts on what embracing equity means to them.
Brea Ballard, VP of Marketing, reflects on her favorite quote by Malala Yousafzai,“ I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
Roxanne Cass, Operations Manager, believes that promoting equity is all about creating a safe and open environment where every employee feels valued and supported. She emphasizes that leaders should encourage critical thinking and be open to listening to their employees, fostering an inclusive community based on honesty, integrity, compassion, and empathy: “Perception is reality,” she says. “How those around you perceive the world varies drastically based on their background and life experiences, this gives each person a unique way of interacting with the world around them. We should learn to foster each and every one of our strengths and support each other with our weaknesses."
Maudie Marcos, Payroll and Human Resources, shares a quote from Caroline Belden that perfectly embodies the idea of equity: “Equality is leaving the door open for anyone who has the means to approach it; equity is ensuring there is a pathway to that door for those who need it.” She highlights the importance of providing access to resources for those who may not have had the same advantages as others.
Tiffany Hamlin, Senior Director of Fitness & Technology says that “creating equal opportunity and promoting equality is a great start, but insufficient in truly leveling the playing field if equity does not go hand-in-hand.” She believes in creating conditions that allow all people to reach their full potential by removing barriers and providing resources to those in need. She adds her favorite quote by Paula Dressel: “The route to achieving equity will not be accomplished through treating everyone equally. It will be achieved by treating everyone justly according to their circumstances.”
Nicole Vahey, Franchise Business Coach, believes that the key to overcoming any obstacle – in business or personal relationships - starts with a simple premise: communicating openly and showing respect for one another. As Mikki Kendall famously said "True equity starts with ensuring that everyone has access to the most basic of needs.”
Rosa I Evans, Social Media Consultant, adds to this sentiment by stating that “true equity means more than just giving everyone an equal chance - it involves recognizing the unique set of needs, backgrounds, and experiences of individuals in order to ensure they have access to resources they may not have had otherwise. We must break down systemic barriers in order to create a level playing field for all members of society no matter their gender or socioeconomic status.
"To promote and embrace equity, I strongly believe in leading by example. For me, this means actively listening, challenging biases, and encouraging collaboration across different backgrounds. It also involves supporting other women through mentorship and networking opportunities, and advocating for policy changes that help embrace equity. It’s having an understanding that everyone’s life experiences and access to resources are different. These can give some advantages or put others at a disadvantage. It’s understanding that even though we strive to provide equality for all, some people have a head start.
I understand that empowering other women is just as important as empowering myself. That’s why I strive to foster kindness and appreciation towards others. It’s important to unite and create environments where we can uplift and inspire each other to reach our fullest potential.
I am committed to being open-minded about others’ perspectives and respecting their values even when they are different from mine. By embracing diversity, we create opportunities for growth, collaboration, and creativity. Giving everyone a voice is crucial in creating an inclusive culture where all individuals feel heard and valued.
I follow and embrace my personal motto: ‘Live life with passion, learn and evolve, lead with kindness and empathy.’ By embodying these values in my daily life, I hope to inspire others to do the same."
What does it mean to have an equal opportunity workplace environment
Having an equal opportunity workplace environment means that everyone has access to the same opportunities and resources regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, or other demographic characteristics. It involves proactively making sure that all potential applicants can fairly compete for positions and have access to fair promotion opportunities and pay. An equal opportunity workplace is one that supports and fosters diversified perspectives, encourages collaboration with people from different backgrounds, values respectful communication among all members of staff, and embraces innovation from any individual who seeks to contribute. In such an environment employees feel respected and heard while they help shape the future success of the organization. Ultimately, having an equal opportunity workplace environment exemplifies a commitment to creating a vibrant community by embracing employee contributions and unique perspectives.
Celebrating the individuals who have helped bring equity to World Gym International
At World Gym International, we are thrilled to celebrate the individuals who have undertaken incredible work throughout the organization, allowing us to become a more equitable and respectful institution. Without their profound efforts of passion, resilience and courage, our gym network would not exist in its current state. Equality is integral in creating a nurturing and fulfilling space for everyone, and without that fundamental piece of progress our staff, members, and community would remain unheard. We are incredibly proud of the hard work done by these individuals whose efforts will remain a tremendous source of inspiration for years to come.
Looking at some of the initiatives and policies World Gym International has implemented for gender equality
World Gym International is taking decisive and meaningful steps to ensure that gender equality is addressed across the board. From investing in professional development regardless of gender to providing pay-parity opportunities, World Gym International is dedicated to creating a culture of inclusivity, fairness and opportunity. In recent years, they have developed highly-attuned policies that foster greater engagement with female trainers and management personnel. Not only is this a business-savvy move for the company, it stands out as an example of how organizations can make strides to create equal environments for individuals from all backgrounds. Such initiatives not only empower employees but also contribute to driving positive growth for everyone.
Understanding how having a diverse workforce can benefit the company and its members
Having a diverse workforce is one of the best ways to ensure success in any company. Not only can it help the company reach customers more easily and create more innovative solutions, but it can also benefit its employees on a personal level. It encourages employees to recognize and appreciate differences, build positive relationships with those from different backgrounds, and become better communicators. This intercultural understanding creates an environment where team members respect each other’s perspectives, which leads to more productive collaboration. That's why having a diverse workforce can be such an asset for any successful business – it allows for stronger ties between colleagues as well as increased productivity!
Exploring ways to further promote equity within World Gym International in the future
At World Gym International, we believe wholeheartedly in providing an equitable environment for all of our clients and employees and that is just the beginning. We are committed to exploring each and every avenue possible to make sure this occurs with openness, fairness and understanding. Our intentions are to expand our reach beyond current practices, creating a culture that truly values diversity and inclusion for everyone.
With our dedication to creating a more equitable work environment, we can confidently look forward to the coming years of progress and development. World Gym International is dedicated to creating an equitable and respectful environment for all of its members. Having a diverse workforce can be beneficial not only from a business standpoint but also on a personal level by encouraging employees to recognize differences and build positive relationships with those from different backgrounds.
We at World Gym International look forward to further promoting equity within our organization in the future and invite you to join us on this journey! For potential employees, our website www.worldgym.com features current job openings and details on how to apply for those positions. We are always looking for passionate candidates who are dedicated to helping us create an equitable environment for all our staff and clients. To learn more about becoming a part of the World Gym International family, please visit www.worldgym.com today!