Forces for Good Which Comes First, Policy or Progress?
Feb 17, 2025
Jamila Rizvi, Deputy Managing Director at Future Women, advocates for gender equity in the workplace, while Wojciech Baginski, a B Lab Global Board member, emphasizes stakeholder governance. They dive into the symbiotic relationship between policy and progress, highlighting the historical context of the 40-hour workweek. The conversation touches on the critical role of inclusive policies in enhancing women's workforce participation and the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements in sustainability. Both guests underscore the need for collaboration to drive meaningful change.
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Policy and Progress
- Progress and policy are interconnected, like a chicken-and-egg dilemma.
- Progress creates demand for policy, while policy fosters further progress.
40-Hour Workweek
- The 40-hour workweek resulted from workers' demands in the 1800s.
- It took until 1940 for the US to legally mandate it, demonstrating policy catching up to progress.
Drivers of Change
- Policy changes can drive societal change by incentivizing or disincentivizing behaviors.
- However, social change can also precede policy, pushing governments to adapt.