# Prof. Lisa Leslie on the EDGE business initiative for gender equality in the workplace

1 Faculty News September 18, 2014 ![Fast Company logo](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/uat_026723.jpg?itok=PGORMP3v)>

Excerpt from [Fast Company Co.Exist](http://www.fastcoexist.com/3035833/a-new-stamp-of-approval-for-employers-who-are-truly-committed-to-gender-equality) -- "[Lisa Leslie](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/lisa-leslie), an associate professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business who has studied workplace inequalities, says the EDGE approach could be help companies be proactive about not just putting a gender equality policy in place but making sure it's effective. Often, she notes, well-meaning policies have 'backlash effects.' She gives the example of a company where none of upper management will take advantage of flexible work hours, sending the signal that lower level employees will be penalized for using them. Or a policy can even have stigmatizing effects, if, say, co-workers believe that women or minorities in leadership are promoted because of who they are, rather than their merits."

[Read more](http://www.fastcoexist.com/3035833/a-new-stamp-of-approval-for-employers-who-are-truly-committed-to-gender-equality)