Interventions on gender equity in the workplace: a scoping review
Abstract Background Various studies have demonstrated gender disparities in workplace settings and the need for further intervention. This study identifies and examines evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on interventions examining gender equity in workplace or volunteer settings. An a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03346-7 |
| _version_ | 1827291547013480448 |
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| author | Andrea C. Tricco Amanda Parker Paul A. Khan Vera Nincic Reid Robson Heather MacDonald Rachel Warren Olga Cleary Elaine Zibrowski Nancy Baxter Karen E. A. Burns Doug Coyle Ruth Ndjaboue Jocalyn P. Clark Etienne V. Langlois Sofia B. Ahmed Holly O. Witteman Ian D. Graham Wafa El-Adhami Becky Skidmore France Légaré Janet Curran Gillian Hawker Jennifer Watt Ivy Lynn Bourgeault Jeanna Parsons Leigh Karen Lawford Alice Aiken Christopher McCabe Sasha Shepperd Reena Pattani Natalie Leon Jamie Lundine Évèhouénou Lionel Adisso Santa Ono Linda Rabeneck Sharon E. Straus |
| author_facet | Andrea C. Tricco Amanda Parker Paul A. Khan Vera Nincic Reid Robson Heather MacDonald Rachel Warren Olga Cleary Elaine Zibrowski Nancy Baxter Karen E. A. Burns Doug Coyle Ruth Ndjaboue Jocalyn P. Clark Etienne V. Langlois Sofia B. Ahmed Holly O. Witteman Ian D. Graham Wafa El-Adhami Becky Skidmore France Légaré Janet Curran Gillian Hawker Jennifer Watt Ivy Lynn Bourgeault Jeanna Parsons Leigh Karen Lawford Alice Aiken Christopher McCabe Sasha Shepperd Reena Pattani Natalie Leon Jamie Lundine Évèhouénou Lionel Adisso Santa Ono Linda Rabeneck Sharon E. Straus |
| author_sort | Andrea C. Tricco |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Various studies have demonstrated gender disparities in workplace settings and the need for further intervention. This study identifies and examines evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on interventions examining gender equity in workplace or volunteer settings. An additional aim was to determine whether interventions considered intersection of gender and other variables, including PROGRESS-Plus equity variables (e.g., race/ethnicity). Methods Scoping review conducted using the JBI guide. Literature was searched in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, ERIC, Index to Legal Periodicals and Books, PAIS Index, Policy Index File, and the Canadian Business & Current Affairs Database from inception to May 9, 2022, with an updated search on October 17, 2022. Results were reported using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension to scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR), Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidance, Strengthening the Integration of Intersectionality Theory in Health Inequality Analysis (SIITHIA) checklist, and Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public (GRIPP) version 2 checklist. All employment or volunteer sectors settings were included. Included interventions were designed to promote workplace gender equity that targeted: (a) individuals, (b) organizations, or (c) systems. Any comparator was eligible. Outcomes measures included any gender equity related outcome, whether it was measuring intervention effectiveness (as defined by included studies) or implementation. Data analyses were descriptive in nature. As recommended in the JBI guide to scoping reviews, only high-level content analysis was conducted to categorize the interventions, which were reported using a previously published framework. Results We screened 8855 citations, 803 grey literature sources, and 663 full-text articles, resulting in 24 unique RCTs and one companion report that met inclusion criteria. Most studies (91.7%) failed to report how they established sex or gender. Twenty-three of 24 (95.8%) studies reported at least one PROGRESS-Plus variable: typically sex or gender or occupation. Two RCTs (8.3%) identified a non-binary gender identity. None of the RCTs reported on relationships between gender and other characteristics (e.g., disability, age, etc.). We identified 24 gender equity promoting interventions in the workplace that were evaluated and categorized into one or more of the following themes: (i) quantifying gender impacts; (ii) behavioural or systemic changes; (iii) career flexibility; (iv) increased visibility, recognition, and representation; (v) creating opportunities for development, mentorship, and sponsorship; and (vi) financial support. Of these interventions, 20/24 (83.3%) had positive conclusion statements for their primary outcomes (e.g., improved academic productivity, increased self-esteem) across heterogeneous outcomes. Conclusions There is a paucity of literature on interventions to promote workplace gender equity. While some interventions elicited positive conclusions across a variety of outcomes, standardized outcome measures considering specific contexts and cultures are required. Few PROGRESS-Plus items were reported. Non-binary gender identities and issues related to intersectionality were not adequately considered. Future research should provide consistent and contemporary definitions of gender and sex. Trial registration Open Science Framework https://osf.io/x8yae . |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:39:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ea2e2e98af114c92ac2e4d08138dd892 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1741-7015 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:39:55Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-ea2e2e98af114c92ac2e4d08138dd8922024-04-07T11:21:08ZengBMCBMC Medicine1741-70152024-04-0122111210.1186/s12916-024-03346-7Interventions on gender equity in the workplace: a scoping reviewAndrea C. Tricco0Amanda Parker1Paul A. Khan2Vera Nincic3Reid Robson4Heather MacDonald5Rachel Warren6Olga Cleary7Elaine Zibrowski8Nancy Baxter9Karen E. A. Burns10Doug Coyle11Ruth Ndjaboue12Jocalyn P. Clark13Etienne V. Langlois14Sofia B. Ahmed15Holly O. Witteman16Ian D. Graham17Wafa El-Adhami18Becky Skidmore19France Légaré20Janet Curran21Gillian Hawker22Jennifer Watt23Ivy Lynn Bourgeault24Jeanna Parsons Leigh25Karen Lawford26Alice Aiken27Christopher McCabe28Sasha Shepperd29Reena Pattani30Natalie Leon31Jamie Lundine32Évèhouénou Lionel Adisso33Santa Ono34Linda Rabeneck35Sharon E. Straus36Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoLi Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoLi Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoLi Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoLi Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoLi Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoLi Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoCentre for Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Trinity College DublinFaculty of Health Studies, Western UniversityMelbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of MelbourneInterdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of TorontoSchool of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of OttawaÉcole de Travail Social, Université de SherbrookeDepartment of Medicine, University of TorontoPartnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), World Health Organization (WHO)Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryDepartment of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université LavalCentre for Implementation Research, Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteScience in Australia Gender Equity LimitedIndependent Information SpecialistDepartment of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université LavalSchool of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie UniversityDivision of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of TorontoLi Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoUniversity of OttawaSchool of Health Administration, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie UniversityDepartment of Gender Studies, Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek Territories, Queen’s UniversityResearch and Innovation, Dalhousie UniversityInstitute of Health EconomicsNuffield Department of Population Health, University of OxfordDepartment of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoHealth Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilUniversity of OttawaDepartment of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université LavalMolecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of MichiganDalla Lana School of Public Health, University of TorontoLi Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoAbstract Background Various studies have demonstrated gender disparities in workplace settings and the need for further intervention. This study identifies and examines evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on interventions examining gender equity in workplace or volunteer settings. An additional aim was to determine whether interventions considered intersection of gender and other variables, including PROGRESS-Plus equity variables (e.g., race/ethnicity). Methods Scoping review conducted using the JBI guide. Literature was searched in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, ERIC, Index to Legal Periodicals and Books, PAIS Index, Policy Index File, and the Canadian Business & Current Affairs Database from inception to May 9, 2022, with an updated search on October 17, 2022. Results were reported using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension to scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR), Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidance, Strengthening the Integration of Intersectionality Theory in Health Inequality Analysis (SIITHIA) checklist, and Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public (GRIPP) version 2 checklist. All employment or volunteer sectors settings were included. Included interventions were designed to promote workplace gender equity that targeted: (a) individuals, (b) organizations, or (c) systems. Any comparator was eligible. Outcomes measures included any gender equity related outcome, whether it was measuring intervention effectiveness (as defined by included studies) or implementation. Data analyses were descriptive in nature. As recommended in the JBI guide to scoping reviews, only high-level content analysis was conducted to categorize the interventions, which were reported using a previously published framework. Results We screened 8855 citations, 803 grey literature sources, and 663 full-text articles, resulting in 24 unique RCTs and one companion report that met inclusion criteria. Most studies (91.7%) failed to report how they established sex or gender. Twenty-three of 24 (95.8%) studies reported at least one PROGRESS-Plus variable: typically sex or gender or occupation. Two RCTs (8.3%) identified a non-binary gender identity. None of the RCTs reported on relationships between gender and other characteristics (e.g., disability, age, etc.). We identified 24 gender equity promoting interventions in the workplace that were evaluated and categorized into one or more of the following themes: (i) quantifying gender impacts; (ii) behavioural or systemic changes; (iii) career flexibility; (iv) increased visibility, recognition, and representation; (v) creating opportunities for development, mentorship, and sponsorship; and (vi) financial support. Of these interventions, 20/24 (83.3%) had positive conclusion statements for their primary outcomes (e.g., improved academic productivity, increased self-esteem) across heterogeneous outcomes. Conclusions There is a paucity of literature on interventions to promote workplace gender equity. While some interventions elicited positive conclusions across a variety of outcomes, standardized outcome measures considering specific contexts and cultures are required. Few PROGRESS-Plus items were reported. Non-binary gender identities and issues related to intersectionality were not adequately considered. Future research should provide consistent and contemporary definitions of gender and sex. Trial registration Open Science Framework https://osf.io/x8yae .https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03346-7Scoping reviewGenderEquityEmploymentOccupational health |
| spellingShingle | Andrea C. Tricco Amanda Parker Paul A. Khan Vera Nincic Reid Robson Heather MacDonald Rachel Warren Olga Cleary Elaine Zibrowski Nancy Baxter Karen E. A. Burns Doug Coyle Ruth Ndjaboue Jocalyn P. Clark Etienne V. Langlois Sofia B. Ahmed Holly O. Witteman Ian D. Graham Wafa El-Adhami Becky Skidmore France Légaré Janet Curran Gillian Hawker Jennifer Watt Ivy Lynn Bourgeault Jeanna Parsons Leigh Karen Lawford Alice Aiken Christopher McCabe Sasha Shepperd Reena Pattani Natalie Leon Jamie Lundine Évèhouénou Lionel Adisso Santa Ono Linda Rabeneck Sharon E. Straus Interventions on gender equity in the workplace: a scoping review BMC Medicine Scoping review Gender Equity Employment Occupational health |
| title | Interventions on gender equity in the workplace: a scoping review |
| title_full | Interventions on gender equity in the workplace: a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Interventions on gender equity in the workplace: a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interventions on gender equity in the workplace: a scoping review |
| title_short | Interventions on gender equity in the workplace: a scoping review |
| title_sort | interventions on gender equity in the workplace a scoping review |
| topic | Scoping review Gender Equity Employment Occupational health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03346-7 |
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