Building a Feminist Workplace, A (Whole) Year Later
Can you believe it’s been an entire year since we launched Anti-Heroine Media? This time a year ago, we couldn’t anticipate all that’s happened, what lies ahead, and what an incredible year it’s been. But yes, we did that. 🥳
2020 was a cultural shift—not just for Hayley and I, but for many—and the COVID-19 pandemic’s compounded strain of toxic productivity was a key element.
This time is laying bare the widespread acceptability of neo-liberal ideas around work and productivity, as well as the toxicity of this type of investment. This can look like: dog-eat-dog competition, increasingly long hours, and putting work above everything else (including our families, friends, health and wellbeing). This culture rooted in capitalism, patriarchy and white supremacy, leads to burnout. Plain and simple.
Prior to launching Anti-Heroine Media, we both decided that the way we were working wasn’t sustainable. We weren’t only excited for the fulfilling and creative work we could see ourselves doing—but also very much being able to do this work in a supportive and empowering environment. So often in the workplace asserting power and dominance involves replicating systemic sexism and racism to an individual’s benefit. But that isn’t feminist leadership. These ideas around productivity are harmful and we’ve decided to unsubscribe indefinitely. ✌️
An ideal workplace, the one we are continuing to build, doesn’t individualize these issues. A truly feminist workplace speaks to collective wellbeing, achievement and satisfaction. A truly feminist workplace is one in which everyone’s powers and abilities are supported, nurtured and encouraged to grow. Where everyone is able to influence decision-making and bring their strengths to the table. This is what we’re striving toward at Anti-Heroine Media. It isn’t always easy, but radical change rarely is.
Rooted in feminist philosophy, here are some key takeaways that we’re reflecting on a whole year later:
1. Trust first, creativity second.
When we ground our work relationships from a place of trust and respect, we are able to bring the best version of ourselves—and our most creative ideas—to the table. This means mutually creating the conditions for magic in our work collaborations. It also means open communication, transparency, and understanding that we all bring something unique to each project—regardless of whether society feminizes and devalues that labour.
2. A feminist network is a generous one.
We’re all fighting the (same) good fight. Our feminist network’s generosity has been a consistent theme this past year. Our clients and supporters have been keen to connect us to new projects and learning opportunities, and we have been actively doing the same. No competition here, we’re all striving toward working from a place of abundance.
3. Things change, but we can too.
A feminist workplace looks at oppression from an intersectional and systems-lens. A key piece of this is our ability to remain flexible. Whether with our internal processes, or our client projects, there will always be extenuating circumstances, many driven by systemic issues, that require adapting on everyone’s end.
4. We are more than our oppressions.
Hayley and I often discuss how in many spaces where we are actively working on social justice issues, we feel like our oppressions dominate our identities. While the past year—especially under COVID-19—has been difficult, we are complex beings with unique interests, hopes, and dreams. We must actively create space to learn about one another, and bring our passions into our work.
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be quiet to take some more time to reflect and rest, but look out for the 2021 Zelda Awards™ this December. Check out last year’s picks if you haven’t already (all still very much worth your time).
Lastly (but most importantly), we want to send a huge shoutout and warm thank you to our families, friends, communities and networks that have supported us tirelessly over the past year. It means everything to us. We can’t wait to take you into year TWO with us.
Remember that our virtual door is always open, get in touch here.
For more information on feminist workplace pratices, check out the Worker Wellbeing Lab, a feminist research lab that welcomes scholars interested in employee health, flourishing and belonging led by Dr. Gloria Gonzalez-Morales of Claremont Graduate University.