Breaking the bias at Kalibrate, International Women’s Day 2022 

This year International Women’s Day focuses on creating a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination — with their slogan being, break the bias. Typically, women only make up 19% of the tech workforce, and it’s no wonder given that the tech industry can be pretty intimidating and unwelcoming to females.

Kalibrate is proud to say that 33% of their employees are female, to celebrate IWD and the women at Kalibrate, we interviewed members of our data, dev and IT teams to hear their views on how we can break the bias.

Do you feel that there are often hidden or biased systems in place in the IT/data industry?  

“I think in general people have a stereotype on what type of career females ‘normally’ do. The stereotype often comes from the observation of friends, relatives, news media, or from a consumption of a high-level statistical fact that the IT/data industry is less gender diversified, compared to other industries like hospitality and public service. The stereotype seeds deeply in some societies, people presuming on what career females should do, or capable of. “

Sissi Zhao Lei, Location Research Analyst at Kalibrate

“With women only representing a little over a quarter of the STEM workforce it isn’t surprising that there are still biases and stereotypes across the industry. It is important to celebrate the progress we have made; I am now seeing more and more women not only enter the industry but also succeed and progress! However, we still have a way to go, and we shouldn’t lose sight of that, and the more we can educate the industry and the more we are represented the quicker we will see that progression.”

Gillian Capper, Service Delivery Manager at Kalibrate 

“We are certainly in a transformation stage currently, whereby we are working towards tech no longer being viewed as a male dominated industry, holding opportunities for anyone with the right skills and mindset. It’s an exciting space to work in as a woman right now, and I’m proud to be a part of that journey in helping to break the stigma further wherever I can. ” 

Beth Rogers, Product Owner –  Kalibrate Fuel Pricing

We’re working to rid stereotypes in the data and tech industry — how important is this to you?

“It’s extremely close to my heart. Having worked in tech for around 6 years, I have first-hand experience of my voice being unheard, my work questioned, and my ideas invalidated because I am a woman. Right now, ridding stereotypes to me means having confidence in my role, communicating with my team when I am not being treated fairly, and educating male colleagues that do feed the bias so that we can work better together.” 

Beth Rogers, Product Owner –  Kalibrate Fuel Pricing

“I think it’s important to see successful women not only in the industry but also in important roles in the industry. If young girls and women see people in those roles, then they have somebody to look up to and know it is possible to achieve it.”

Suzanne Beltran, Director of Analytics at Kalibrate    

Why is it important to celebrate the achievements of female role models? 

“This is hugely important and something I cannot stress enough. The more we talk about each other’s achievements, the more confident we will feel in celebrating our own successes.  However, to me, the strongest female role models that I’ve had the pleasure of working with have been those that openly share when they’ve failed, because it makes you feel secure when you make a mistake yourself, and it feels more precious when you come to celebrate your achievements.”

Sarah Kelly, Marketing Operations Manager   

“It is crucial to celebrate the women who lead the way in breaking down the barriers for future generations; representation is key in order to provide role models for kids to aspire to be, if they can see it, they’re more likely to believe they can do it, and go on to achieve it.” 

Gillian Capper, Service Delivery Manager at Kalibrate 

Why is it important to have diversity in data and IT teams across the business?  

“It’s important because ultimately everyone has something different to offer; in skills, mindset and personability. To not give fair opportunity to women in any given area, would be to dismiss a plethora of experience, knowledge, and character that the person brings with them. We as a business have a duty of care to ensure a cosmopolitan workplace, and encouraging more women in tech further contributes to that goal  .”   

Beth Rogers, Product Owner – Kalibrate Fuel Pricing 

“Females and males sometimes think differently, to have different mindsets in the business will be a great advantage for the company. Especially for IT/Technology industry, working in an innovative and ever-changing working environment, different voices and minds from both male and female are more than just competitive advantages, the ideas will empower the company’s overall growth in the long term”

Sissi Zhao Lei, Location Research Analyst at Kalibrate

“Diversity is our strength. Having different thought processes, ideas, approaches, viewpoints at the table can drive innovation, regardless of gender, but it’s the environment that we all create to give individuals the confidence to speak up about their opinions and ideas that is most important.”

Sarah Kelly, Marketing Operations Manager   

Do you have any female role models that you have within and outside the data/IT industry?  

“Not directly related to my field, but I do hold a lot of respect for Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg having read her novel ‘Lean In’. It really helped me to understand how subconscious learned behaviour as a woman up until that point was hindering my credibility in the workplace no matter my successes.” 

Beth Rogers, Product Owner – Kalibrate Fuel Pricing

“Kalibrate ladies are my best role models. From my point of view, a role model doesn’t need to be financially successful or hold a seat in the board team, more importantly, they are brave and independent, always hold on to themselves, and not dare of being unique” 

Sissi Zhao Lei, Location Research Analyst at Kalibrate  

How do the men in your life support you in breaking the bias?  

“Having amazing men helping us break down biases and embracing differences is crucial to the progression of equality. For women in tech it can be a regular occurrence to be the only female in meetings or discussions, which can be daunting, particularly when you are just starting your career. Having men who have your back, encourage you to voice your opinion, helping you be heard, are not afraid to help mentor you, and building your confidence is so important.” 

Gillian Capper, Service Delivery Manager at Kalibrate

“For me the key is to be clear about what I expect from the working relationship from the off set, developing clear boundaries within my role to be respected, and building good working relationships so that gender becomes a factor that does not drive behaviour (for the better or for the worse). The best way that my male colleagues support me is by recognising me simply as another member of the team and by also using their voices to support disproving this bias” 

Beth Rogers, Product Owner – Kalibrate Fuel Pricing 

As a male how do you work to break the bias and support the women in your team? 

“We never receive the current salaries of prospective candidates to avoid entrenching any bias they have previously faced. Within the team my leadership team and I do our best to ensure every voice can be heard, and be given equal consideration, that people are reached out to and given their chance when they do speak. Unconscious biases are best broken down by example, and I’m very pleased to have a 50/50 gender split in my leadership team.”

Dave McKerral, Director of Product Development  

“Everyone needs to be interacted with and managed in a way that works for them based on who they are, which is much more than just their gender. I won’t tolerate any unfair bias in my team and in doing that I expect I’m leading by example and others see what good looks like. “ 

Gareth Kinsella, Director of IT Operations 

“I worked hard to build a trusted personal relationship with my female colleagues (as I do with the men too) so they feel comfortable in opening up to me and talking about anything.  I have had women on my team raise a number of work and personal issues with me and we’ve worked together to achieve an outcome that they were happy with.  

Rich Willcox, VP Solutions Engineer  

Kalibrate is proud to have a forward-thinking team who work hard to break gender stereotypes and #breakthebias. We continue to work towards building a diverse and inclusive workplace where difference is valued and celebrated, where women can feel there is room to grow and opportunity to thrive.  

Find out more about International Women’s Day and how you can get involved to help rid the world of gender bias here.