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The notion of the ‘traditional workplace’ is transforming fast. From the rise of remote working to a demand for better job perks, the things we expect from our employment have changed hugely in the last few years – and it’s finally starting to make our workplaces more inclusive.
One key workplace trend which has gained attention both in the media and on platforms such as LinkedIn is the flat company structure. An alternative to the hierarchical structure we associate with more conventional businesses, the flat company structure is exactly what you’d expect – flat.
In this article, we’ll be explaining how exactly a flat company structure works and why it can empower women in the workplace.
What is a flat company structure?
While other companies are usually made up of a CEO, managers, heads of department, and junior staff, flat companies such as Proekspert see every employee as equal. Nobody officially manages anyone else, and in some businesses, nobody even has a job title – people simply work on whatever needs doing, choosing tasks which align with their skills.
How can this structure empower women?
Flat company structures were originally devised as a way to democratise the workplace. In theory, this should help empower women who are all too often limited by the glass ceiling in traditional companies. Let’s take a look at how…
Flat structures have fairer pay
It’s no secret that the gender pay gap is holding women back all over the world. In the United Kingdom, for example, the gender pay gap is thought to be a little over 18%. It might sound shocking, but this is actually the lowest percentage which the UK has ever recorded. Clearly, there is more work to be done to close this gap and make the workplace fairer for everyone.
Because flat structures encourage equal responsibility, and therefore equal pay, they are taking a vital step in closing the gender pay gap.
Employees can manage their own projects
Studies show that women are statistically less likely to be promoted to managerial positions than men. This can seriously hold them back and prevent them from taking an active lead in their career.
In a flat structure company, every employee has the chance to manage their own workload – from joining the tasks which interest them to approaching their colleagues about new projects. This structure means that nobody is limited to an unsatisfying job scope or dependent on promotions to achieve their potential.
Flat structures encourage clear communication
According to research, women are more likely than men to feel pressured into modifying their language at work. This is often characterised by unnecessary apologising or the use of tentative vocabulary.
Because flat company structures encourage clear channels of communication – and remove the need to manage, or be managed by, your colleagues – it can cut out a lot of needless conversations. This spares women the onus to negotiate, which can often disproportionately fall on them in the workplace.
If you’ve been wondering about the benefits of a flat company structure, we hope this article has been helpful. When implemented properly, this policy can be an excellent way to level the playing field for employees of all genders within the workplace.