Project Description:

This research paper was written for a course at Toronto Metropolitan University titled Human Resources in the Creative Industries. It applies peer-reviewed and industry secondary sources to analyze gender-focused human resources policies.

Research Question and Thesis: 

Advertising agencies cannot afford to lose female advertisers since female consumers are increasing their buying power to the same level as men. Employers in the advertising industry need women for their unique skill sets and perspectives -- and agencies are losing this. Therefore, this research paper will investigate the following question: how can gender-focused human resources policies affect women in the advertising industry?

Recommendation:

Organizations need to apply gender-inclusive management forecasting and skills inventory policies that would require an anonymous record keeping process of employees’ successes and failures in the firm through a human resources information system. It would permit advertising practitioners to record their work performance anonymously and objectively, removing gender bias. This will allow top decision-makers to analyze their employees’ work performance based on quantifiable measures, illustrating who would be the best candidate for future promotions and leadership training. Middle management would refer top-performing employees for promotions or work on an account through a worker’s identification number after viewing the employee’s skills inventory database. The same practice can be applied to recruiting through online forms, asking potential candidates not to include any personal identifiers and to only relay skills-related information for review.
Furthermore, if industry success is determined through networking amongst peers, advertising associations should accommodate female advertisers by hosting events with childcare or during childcare-friendly hours. Employers could also permit paid time off for socializing and acquiring new clients for men and women with children. 

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To read more about my research into the advertising industry’s need for gender-focused human resources policies, please download a copy of my work for yourself.