Dipti Gohel 

Founder True Fit Gourmet

How does your workplace embrace equality?

We Provide equal pay and ensure that women are paid the same as men for doing the same job. At TFG we make sure that both men and women have access to the same opportunities for training, advancement, and professional positions like Barista/ servers/ chefs. As a woman entrepreneur myself, I have been mindful to create a safe and respectful work environment and ensure that all employees, regardless of gender, are treated with respect and dignity, and that there is zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination, which may be common in servers/ waiters profession. We try our best to provide flexible work arrangements to allow women to balance their work and personal responsibilities. We have imparted training to employees on unconscious bias and how they can avoid it in their interactions with colleagues and customers.

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 leader, I acknowledge and challenge my own biases. I believe everyone may have some degree of bias, whether conscious or unconscious. It’s important to recognize your biases and challenge them. Reflect on your own assumptions, beliefs, and experiences that may shape your perceptions of gender. I as a leader avoid using language that reinforces gender stereotypes or excludes individuals of certain genders. I consciously use gender-neutral language where possible, such as “they” instead of “he” or “she” or “chairperson” instead of “chairman” or “chairwoman”. I mindfully listen to the experiences and perspectives of people from different genders and am open to understanding their points of view. I always try my best to avoid dismissing or invalidating their experiences, even if they don’t align with my own. I remind myself time and again to refrain from making assumptions about what people can or cannot do based on their gender, thereby challenging stereotypes and promoting gender equality by encouraging individuals of all genders to pursue their interests and aspirations.

As a leader, I have taken steps to ensure that people of all genders feel included and valued at TFG. This involves promoting gender diversity in my cafe as well as my office. In my business circle too, you can find me advocating for policies that support gender equality. As a woman leader, I wish to set an example by promoting gender equality in both my words and actions. I speak up when I witness gender bias and support those who are marginalized because of their gender. I believe that by being a positive role model, I would be able to inspire others to do the same.

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?

At the outset I believe that gender equality policies are justified in the industry even though the working strength of the women are 50% or less. The hospitality industry includes a wide range of sectors such as hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and tourism, and it employs a significant number of people worldwide, including a large number of women. Gender-inclusive policies can help to ensure that all employees, regardless of their gender, have equal opportunities and are treated fairly in the workplace. This can include policies that address equal pay, opportunities for promotion, career development and protection against harassment & discrimination. In addition to being the right thing to do from an ethical perspective, gender equality policies can also have tangible benefits for hospitality businesses. For example, a more diverse and inclusive workforce can lead to increased creativity, innovation and productivity. It can also
help to attract and retain top talent, as employees are more likely to stay with a company that values and respects them. Overall, gender equality policies are not only justified in the hospitality industry, but they are also necessary for creating a fair, inclusive and successful workplace. In fact, I strongly believe that if the policies are adhered to, it would only enable more women to join the industry.