"Equity is not a women's issue. It is a management challenge"*

The Task Force on the Advancement of Women in the Bank (of Montreal) identified three major barriers to women's advancement:

• outdated assumptions and false impressions that have become conventional wisdom;
• lack of access to opportunities and information needed to achieve potential;
• changing values in society, pressure to maintain balance with family, community, education, and the workplace.
  
  

The following action plan to address these barriers has been implemented:

Get the facts out: Bridge the gap between perception and reality about women's abilities, career interests, and commitment.

Help employees get ahead: Provide clearer and more information about access to job options and career enhancing opportunities.

Reduce the stress: Implement policies to support women and men in multiple commitments to work, family, education, and community.

Make it official: Make managers accountable for ongoing dramatic change toward workplace equality in all job families and all levels.

Specific actions taken to date:

formalize flexible work, increase awareness, highlight personal potential, expand career opportunities, set goals and measure progress.	train managers (attitudes and leadership), develop people skills, publicize job opportunities, create people care days,
*Quote from Bank of Montreal President F. Anthony Comper, November 1991.