Why equity in the workplace is non-negotiable – Honeywell’s Oluwayemisi Busari
With women facing stereotypical hurdles and the crushing weight of societal expectations, Oluwayemisi Busari, Senior Adviser, Government Relations, has said that equity in the workplace is non-negotiable. This was said in a special interview by Her Network Online, a global inspiration and lifestyle platform, recently.
Oluwayemisi noted that we must first acknowledge how discrimination against women and other groups in society affects productivity in the workplace. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the jobs gap for women is a “stubborn and damaging reality of the global labour market”. The report revealed that in developing countries like Nigeria, nearly one in every four women is unable to find work, compared to 16.6% of men. “There must be a conscious effort to ensure that workers are given fair and equitable opportunities based on their unique needs, as well as increase participation in efforts that support female engagement in the tech industry. As such, the first step is to establish a culture that encourages and demands an inclusive workplace,” she said.
Speaking on how she leverages her position in Honeywell Group to uplift and support women, Oluwayemisi said, “I have the opportunity to motivate and inspire the women at Honeywell Group, and I do not take that for granted. It’s a responsibility I take very seriously, and I make time to counsel and offer mentorship to younger women I work with in the company.”
She also emphasised the need for quality relationships in career growth, Oluwayemisi shared her personal experience where her regard for relationships in her life helped her overcome a challenge. According to her, in her younger years, she had maintained a cordial relationship with a lawyer who later helped her overcome a challenge she needed help with. “Good relationships and a supportive community are invaluable. You never know where help will come from, today, tomorrow, or decades in the future”, she added.
At Honeywell Group, Oluwayemisi is responsible for leading and managing interactions with government and key regulatory bodies; supporting to ensure the key stakeholder group is effectively managed.
She is an accomplished legal practitioner with almost three decades of experience in the areas of company secretarial, corporate governance, litigation, and commercial law practices.
Oluwayemisi obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos. Prior to that, she had studied English at the University of Ilorin. Following her call to the bar, she earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of Lagos. She thereafter obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Lagos Business School in association with the IESE Business School.
