POOJA RAY, MD, Mayfair Hotels & Resorts

How does your workplace embrace equality?

I believe it is crucial to embrace equity and promote gender equality in order to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for women. This Women’s Day, I am committed to taking steps to ensure that our hotel is a place where women feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We embrace equality by promoting diversity and inclusion, providing equal opportunities for advancement and promotion, plementing policies and procedures that prevent harassment and discrimination, and providing training and support to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and with respect. Additionally, we celebrate the achievements of women in the industry and provide mentorship and networking opportunities for women to help them advance in their careers. By taking these steps, we can create a culture of equity and gender equality in the hotel industry that benefits everyone.

As a woman, how do you make sure that you embrace equality? When you are the decision maker how do you make sure you are not gender biased?

As a woman, I embrace equality by advocating for equal opportunities and promoting diversity and inclusivity. To avoid gender bias, I seek out diverse perspectives and consider them in decision-making. I support equal pay, mentorship and leadership programs for women, and training on unconscious bias and gender equity. Embracing equity is crucial for a positive, successful organization that attracts and retains top talent, improves employee satisfaction, and drives business success.

Do you believe that gender inclusive policies are justified with an increasing number of women in the industry while still not being a 50% strength or close?

Yes, I believe that gender inclusive policies are justified in the hotel industry, even if the number of women employed is not yet equal to that of men. Gender inclusive policies are essential for creating a workplace culture that promotes diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their gender. These policies can help address barriers to entry and promotion that may disproportionately affect women, and can encourage more women to pursue careers in the hotel industry. Additionally, gender inclusive policies can help hotels attract and retain top talent, promote innovation and creativity, and create a more positive and supportive workplace culture that benefits all employees. Ultimately, promoting gender inclusivity is not just the right thing to do, but also makes good business sense for hotels in the long run.

Sanjana RAY, Director, Mayfair Hotels & Resorts

How does your workplace embrace equality?

In our workplace, we believe in creating an environment that promotes equality and diversity. We recognize that every employee brings unique skills, ideas, and perspectives to the workplace, and we embrace these differences to create a more inclusive work environment. We provide ongoing diversity training for our employees to ensure that everyone is aware of and can embrace cultural differences. We also have policies in place to guarantee equal treatment for all staff members, regardless of their gender or any other characteristic. This includes providing fair wages, benefits, and promotion opportunities.

As a woman, how do you make sure that you embrace equality? When you are the decision maker how do you make sure you are not gender biased?

As a leader in the hotel industry, I believe that promoting equality is critical to creating a positive and productive workplace. To avoid gender bias, I evaluate employees based on their skills and qualifications, rather than any other characteristic. I provide equal opportunities for advancement and promotion to all employees, regardless of gender. Additionally, I prioritize diversity and inclusion by actively seeking out and valuing diverse perspectives, recognizing that this leads to better decision-making and a more inclusive work environment. I provide training and resources to promote diversity and inclusion and ensure a safe and respectful workplace for all employees. By embracing equality, we create a supportive and empowering workplace culture.

Do you believe that gender inclusive policies are justified with an increasing number of women in the industry while still not being a 50% strength or close?

Gender-inclusive policies are crucial for promoting diversity and equality in the hotel industry, despite unequal representation. These policies break down barriers women face and promote equal opportunities for all employees, fostering innovation and talent retention. As a decision-maker in the hotel industry, I am committed to unbiased decisions that provide equal opportunities for employees to advance. My goal is to create a fair and supportive work environment for everyone.

Chef RAMTHARMAWII Chef de Partie, Mayfair Hotels & Resorts

Commercial Kitchens are still male dominant, how does your workplace embrace equality?

As a female chef, I understand that the commercial kitchen can still be a male-dominated industry. However, I believe that embracing equality is essential to creating a positive and successful workplace.

At our workplace, we have implemented several initiatives to promote gender equality. This includes offering equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of gender, and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We also provide training and development programs, mentorship opportunities, and support work-life balance to attract and retain talented female chefs.

As a female chef, do you have any challenges and what are your biggest strengths?

As a female chef, I have faced a few challenges in my career, but I believe that these obstacles have made me stronger and more resilient. One of the main challenges is overcoming the perception that women are not as skilled or committed to the culinary arts as men. This stereotype is slowly changing as more women are breaking into the industry and proving themselves as talented chefs.

One of my biggest strengths as a female chef is my ability to multitask and stay organized in a high-pressure environment. I also pride myself on my attention to detail and my willingness to experiment with new flavors and ingredients. I think that being a woman in the kitchen can actually give me an advantage, as I bring a unique perspective and creativity to my dishes.

Overall, I believe that success in the culinary industry comes down to hard work, dedication, and a passion for creating delicious and beautiful dishes, regardless of gender.

—