Can a Chrome extension reduce sexual harassment at work?
TORONTO, March 7, 2019 /CNW/ - With increased awareness surrounding issues such as the gender pay gap and workplace harassment, it's more important than ever for work environments to ensure they're taking even the smallest of measures to ensure women feel comfortable and respected while at work.
Addressing women as "girls" contributes to a language-based gender divide. Terms like "bossy" and "moody" are used to describe the women we work with but never their male counterparts. We all do it and often are not even aware we're doing it. But, fact is, daily language shapes the way we think consciously and subconsciously.
The Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada wanted to help prevent sexism by raising awareness of our gender-biased language. As a leader in digital communication, they added to a digital work tool we use daily: email.
Introducing AutoCorrectHER. This Google Chrome extension is a tool used to combat everyday sexism in the phrases we use at work. Words that would autocorrect include everyday terms that women could find disrespectful. We then replace these words with more appropriate suggestions.
IAB Canada offered AutoCorrectHER to its members. But it's available for everyone to use.
To install the AutocorrectHER Chrome extension:
- Go to the Chrome Web Store.
- Click the "Add to Chrome" button (Note: You may be prompted to sign into your Google account if you're not already logged in), and then the "Add extension" button.
- Access your Gmail or Outlook account in Google Chrome.
- Refresh the page if necessary.
Please note: AutocorrectHER will not work on your mobile device, and this prototype version currently only works when you are drafting an email. But if successful, we will be releasing updates with full functionality. AutocorrectHER may not work if you have any ad blockers on.
About IAB Canada:
Established in 1997, The Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada (IAB Canada) is the national voice and thought leader of the Canadian interactive marketing and advertising industry. We are the only trade association exclusively dedicated to the development and promotion of the digital marketing and advertising sector in Canada. As a not-for-profit association, IAB Canada represents over 250 of Canada's most respected advertisers, ad agencies, media companies, service providers, educational institutions and government associations.
SOURCE IAB Canada
Roehl Sanchez, (416) 320-5918, [email protected]
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