At Up Hotel Agency, we believe in the power of diversity, equality, and inclusion. As we commemorate International Women’s Day, we want to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of the women around us.
We are fortunate to have a diverse team of talented women who bring their unique perspectives, skills, and expertise to the table. Whether they’re leading teams, driving innovation, or making a difference in their communities, these women inspire us with their resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to excel.
Join us as we reflect on the importance of this day and acknowledge the struggles women face on a daily basis. Lets highlight the extraordinary women who inspire us every day!
We asked the women of Up hotel agency to share the struggles they have faced and the positive experiences of being a professional women at Up!
HERE IS WHAT OUR TEAM HAD TO SAY:
Elizabeth
Have you ever been in a difficult situation where you have felt belittled?
I was in a situation where someone tried to belittle my skills as a Web Developer by suggesting that women are only capable of basic coding in HTML and CSS. It inspires me to proudly showcase my talents and join in the celebration of women in the tech field.
DESCRIBE The positive experiences of being a professional women at Up/Adao –
I have been able to thrive in a supportive environment where my contributions are recognised and celebrated. Being surrounded by talented colleagues who respect and appreciate my skills has not only boosted my confidence but also inspired me to reach new heights in my career.
Rachel
DESCRIBE The positive experiences of being a professional women at Up/Adao –
I have always felt encouraged and supported to achieve success within my role, I’ve been here nearly 8 years and I have never felt that I have been treated any differently because I am woman, but then I absolutely wouldn’t expect to be as I don’t think gender should or does come into it.
Kelly
Have you ever been in a difficult situation where you have felt belittled?
Working in sales, theres been may situations where i’ve been advised to ‘wear my shortest skirt’ to win business and have also been taken along to sales visits that have nothing to do with me as a ‘prop to sweeten the deal’ I’ve been objectified more times than I can even count and due to this have often felt I need to go above and beyond to prove myself in a role im more than experienced in just to receive the same level of credibility that a man would naturally receive.
DESCRIBE The positive experiences of being a professional women at Up/Adao –
A while ago I went on a sales meeting where the client repeatedly commented on my appearance. When I mentioned what had happened to the team in the office they were immediately outraged and told me they wouldn’t work with a client who had objectified me. I’ve never felt more supported in my entire career as I genuinely believed thats just what people expected to happen in sales. It was so refreshing and empowering to be supported by the guys here and its incidences like this that prove how different Up is from so may other companies out here. I feel so proud to work for a company that sees me as an equal and not just some ‘bimbo in a short skirt’
Rachael
The times that we live in now mean that we as women have more opportunities than ever before to be accepted in the workplace and succeed; in many ways, we ARE on an equal footing with our male peers.
We also have the gift of platforms like this to speak about injustices that our society should strive to fix.
But there’s still a long way to go to shift the mindset of a small group of individuals to accept that equality is the way forward – you can see this, for example, particularly in UK laws surrounding maternity and how the expectations surrounding the bulk of childcare should fall upon the mother’s shoulders (despite how willing the father may be, we live within an outdated system!)’
Have you ever been in a difficult situation where you have felt belittled?
Catcalling; Having drink spiked on night out; Survivor of predatory behaviour rom much older man; Harassment at a petrol station whilst visibly pregnant and unable to leave situation! In all situations felt intimidated and near powerless, vulnerable and resentful
DESCRIBE The positive experiences of being a professional women at Up/Adao –
Feeling part of an inclusive, supportive & empowering team
Sarah
Whilst industries are evolving all of the time there is still huge growth needed to bridge the gap both with attitude, pay and opportunities. It’s crucial for women to assert themselves confidently, challenge the status quo, and advocate for equality in all aspects of their professional lives. By persistently pushing boundaries and refusing to accept limitations, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for women in business.
Have you ever been in a difficult situation where you have felt belittled?
Many years ago when I owned my own business, I struggled with the gender-based adversity within the digital space. . From ‘jokey’ comments about how ‘surely my ovaries impact my ability to own a business’, to how ‘I belonged attached to the kitchen and not a seat at the table’, it really impacted my confidence and made me question how I could progress with my career in the digital space.
DESCRIBE The positive experiences of being a professional women at Up/Adao –
I got given, openly and confidently, an amazing seat at the table and now work at a place where I am respected, appreciated and given opportunities to support my growth and confidence, not hinder it
Rebecca
Have you ever been in a difficult situation where you have felt belittled?
Having recently worked in an old-fashioned equestrian business, I experienced multiple belittling episodes in front of my team members at the time, this made me feel vulnerable and completely wiped my confidence.
DESCRIBE The positive experiences of being a professional women at Up/Adao –
From my first interview to working at Up for a month I instantly felt welcome, empowered, motivated and happy within my professional career.
Holly
Have you ever been in a difficult situation where you have felt belittled
I’ve experienced situations in previous workplaces where I felt discriminated against due to being a mother. Having young children meant I needed to work part time and because of this I wasn’t always treated equally compared to my colleagues. In order to pick up my children from nursery I had to work through lunch breaks to leave early. Flexible working was never an option.
DESCRIBE The positive experiences of being a professional women at Up/Adao –
At Up, the flexibility is amazing. They make you feel like you really can have it all and I’m surrounded by strong ladies that prove that every single day.
The founder of Up Hotel Agency – David’s take on International Women’s Day
I can’t sit here and fully claim to understand what it has been like for women to face some of the challenges and biases towards them, especially in the workplace. It must be infuriating and very frustrating to say the least.
However, what I can do is actively try my very best to ensure that our company provides equal opportunities to all genders and personally promote a spirit of equality in the team.
It’s not just a concept here though, women on the team hold the two most influential positions in the company and they are essential to the on going success. In reality, we all have different skills and traits, but today we celebrate those of the amazing women on our team.