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Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results – The Harvard Experts' Blueprint: Actionable Practices for Equity and Inclusion in Organizations
Two leading gender experts and Harvard researchers reveal a new paradigm for fairness at work and offer professionals at every level, in any kind of organization, immediate, proven, and evidence-based ways to do their everyday work better and smarter—and more fairly.
To make organizations more fair, many well-meaning individuals and companies invest their time and resources in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. But because inequity is built into the structures, processes, and environments of our workplaces, adding these programs has been ineffective and often becomes a burden passed off to the individuals they are meant to help.
InMake Work Fair, behavioral scientist and author of What Works Iris Bohnet and gender expert Siri Chilazi offer data-backed, actionable solutions that build fairness into the very fabric of the workplace. Their methods—tested at many organizations, and grounded in data proven to work in the real world—help us make fairer, and simply better, decisions. Using their three-part framework, employees at all levels can embed fairness into their everyday practices.
Believing in equal opportunity is essential—but it isn’t enough. Offering an evidence-based blueprint, Make Work Fair shows you how to make it a reality, no matter your role, seniority, responsibilities, or where you are in the world.
To make organizations more fair, many well-meaning individuals and companies invest their time and resources in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. But because inequity is built into the structures, processes, and environments of our workplaces, adding these programs has been ineffective and often becomes a burden passed off to the individuals they are meant to help.
InMake Work Fair, behavioral scientist and author of What Works Iris Bohnet and gender expert Siri Chilazi offer data-backed, actionable solutions that build fairness into the very fabric of the workplace. Their methods—tested at many organizations, and grounded in data proven to work in the real world—help us make fairer, and simply better, decisions. Using their three-part framework, employees at all levels can embed fairness into their everyday practices.
Believing in equal opportunity is essential—but it isn’t enough. Offering an evidence-based blueprint, Make Work Fair shows you how to make it a reality, no matter your role, seniority, responsibilities, or where you are in the world.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published January 28, 2025
41 people are currently reading
2455 people want to read
About the author
Iris Bohnet
7 books41 followersIris Bohnet, Professor of Public Policy, is a behavioral economist at Harvard Kennedy School, combining insights from economics and psychology to improve decision-making in organizations and society, often with a gender or cross-cultural perspective. She is the author of What Works: Gender Equality by Design, published by Harvard University Press in 2016. Her most recent research examines behavioral design to de-bias how we live, learn and work. Professor Bohnet served as the academic dean of the Kennedy School, is the director of its Women and Public Policy Program, the co-chair (with Max Bazerman) of the Behavioral Insights Group, an associate director of the Harvard Decision Science Laboratory, and the faculty chair of the executive program “Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century” for the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders. She serves on the boards of directors of Credit Suisse Group and University of Lucerne, as well as the advisory boards of the Vienna University of Economics and Business, EDGE and Applied, as well as numerous academic journals. She is a member of the Global Agenda Council on Behavior of the World Economic Forum.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 21, 2025
Despite the book description, I found much of this book’s advice and insights to be lacking applicability “at all levels”. Instead, there are definitely data-driven research findings that decision-makers and corporate leaders can (and should) follow.
It was also difficult to remain bought-in to the concepts being conveyed with companies like JPMorgan and McKinsey as the examples. I’m not of a mind that these should’ve been replaced by role models in the space, but it’s a tough sell for me to look at companies so distinctly known for their prioritization of profits over people and buy into whatever they’re doing to bring fairness and equity to the workplace.
It was well-cited and -researched, though, and made use of some other salient examples where it could. Probably better suited for middle- and upper-management at mid- to large-size companies.
(Edited to correct a typo)
It was also difficult to remain bought-in to the concepts being conveyed with companies like JPMorgan and McKinsey as the examples. I’m not of a mind that these should’ve been replaced by role models in the space, but it’s a tough sell for me to look at companies so distinctly known for their prioritization of profits over people and buy into whatever they’re doing to bring fairness and equity to the workplace.
It was well-cited and -researched, though, and made use of some other salient examples where it could. Probably better suited for middle- and upper-management at mid- to large-size companies.
(Edited to correct a typo)
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February 3, 2025'A timely guide to the latest research, aimed, the authors write, at “the activist working to advance DEI — as well as the activist working to limit DEI”'
My review for the Financial Times:
https://on.ft.com/4hqPnSA
My review for the Financial Times:
https://on.ft.com/4hqPnSA
April 24, 2025
Make Work Fair me pareció una lectura muy recomendable para quienes quieren pasar de la conversación a la acción en temas de equidad en el trabajo. Para mí, el libro se puede dividir en tres grandes aportes:
- Primero, cuestiona con muy buenos argumentos varios mitos sobre la equidad (como que basta con capacitar o cambiar actitudes individuales) y propone enfocarse en rediseñar procesos y sistemas organizacionales.
- Después, entrega herramientas concretas como el uso de datos, objetivos, incentivos y transparencia para hacer que la equidad no sea solo un ideal, sino parte de cómo se toman decisiones en el día a día.
- Finalmente, explora cómo aplicar este enfoque en prácticas como contratación, evaluación de desempeño, trabajo flexible o cultura organizacional, siempre con una mirada basada en evidencia.
Me gustó porque es práctico, está muy bien escrito, y no se queda solo en lo teórico. Propone acciones pequeñas pero efectivas que cualquier persona puede empezar a implementar, sin importar su rol.
Lo recomiendo no solo a personas que estén relacionadas a RRHH, sino a cualquiera que le interese el tema, porque tal como dicen las autoras, todos y todas podemos aportar desde nuestro campo de acción a hacer que el trabajo sea más justo.
- Primero, cuestiona con muy buenos argumentos varios mitos sobre la equidad (como que basta con capacitar o cambiar actitudes individuales) y propone enfocarse en rediseñar procesos y sistemas organizacionales.
- Después, entrega herramientas concretas como el uso de datos, objetivos, incentivos y transparencia para hacer que la equidad no sea solo un ideal, sino parte de cómo se toman decisiones en el día a día.
- Finalmente, explora cómo aplicar este enfoque en prácticas como contratación, evaluación de desempeño, trabajo flexible o cultura organizacional, siempre con una mirada basada en evidencia.
Me gustó porque es práctico, está muy bien escrito, y no se queda solo en lo teórico. Propone acciones pequeñas pero efectivas que cualquier persona puede empezar a implementar, sin importar su rol.
Lo recomiendo no solo a personas que estén relacionadas a RRHH, sino a cualquiera que le interese el tema, porque tal como dicen las autoras, todos y todas podemos aportar desde nuestro campo de acción a hacer que el trabajo sea más justo.
February 23, 2025
Make Work Fair by Iris Bohnet and Siri Chilazi is an impressively researched and well written book on an important topic. This is a timely read with DEI programs currently being evaluated across the US. While I tend to agree that many DEI initiatives should be dismantled, it doesn’t underscore the fact that diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of humanity are vital.
This is a sticky topic because, to quote the authors, “Very few people are against fairness but we don't all agree on what it entails.” The real life examples in this book made the materials interesting and easy to digest, but I found certain action items to be idealistic. Businesses can’t operate exclusively through a DEI lens, and when it comes to certain accommodations that are suggested, there seems to be a lack of awareness about the decrease in productivity that would accompany them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Business for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a sticky topic because, to quote the authors, “Very few people are against fairness but we don't all agree on what it entails.” The real life examples in this book made the materials interesting and easy to digest, but I found certain action items to be idealistic. Businesses can’t operate exclusively through a DEI lens, and when it comes to certain accommodations that are suggested, there seems to be a lack of awareness about the decrease in productivity that would accompany them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Business for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2025
Make Work Fair is an extremely timely and well-researched book. Iris Bohnet brings clarity and evidence to the conversation around workplace fairness, offering practical insights backed by data and behavioral science.
The frustrating part is how relevant this all is right now—especially as DEI programs face resistance and rollback across the country. The real challenge isn’t knowing what works; it’s figuring out how to apply these insights to drive lasting, structural change in organizations.
An important read for leaders, policymakers, and anyone who still believes fairness at work is worth fighting for.
The frustrating part is how relevant this all is right now—especially as DEI programs face resistance and rollback across the country. The real challenge isn’t knowing what works; it’s figuring out how to apply these insights to drive lasting, structural change in organizations.
An important read for leaders, policymakers, and anyone who still believes fairness at work is worth fighting for.
January 30, 2025
I loved this book!! It is not only accessible, but it is also brilliant and timely. As a non-profit founder working in gender equity and girls empowerment, this book not only leans into talking about gender injustice and inequity in the work place, but also gives stories, strategies, and tools to dismantle them. This is a book you return to over and over - not only when you are frustrated with the system, but when you are ready to work together to make workplaces more inclusive, equitable, and safe for all!
December 17, 2024
For real?
What is a "gender expert"?
And anyone who is remotely connected to the real world knows that the purpose of a business is to earn as much money as possible. Being "fair" doesn't even enter into the equation.
If it did, then companies should give out all their goods and intellectual property for free to those who can't afford to pay for it. That would be fair.
So much for the business creating valuable goods and services though.🙄
🚮
What is a "gender expert"?
And anyone who is remotely connected to the real world knows that the purpose of a business is to earn as much money as possible. Being "fair" doesn't even enter into the equation.
If it did, then companies should give out all their goods and intellectual property for free to those who can't afford to pay for it. That would be fair.
So much for the business creating valuable goods and services though.🙄
🚮
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 25, 2025Lots of accessible, impactful ideas and research/data to back them up.
July 19, 2025
Read as part of research for my dissertation. Helped to form my how.
November 10, 2025
This book is full of extremely helpful case studies and data organized around chapters like Incentives, Hiring the Best Person for the Job, Flexible Work Arrangements, etc. The index is very detailed if you want to look up something specific. It’s a really well researched book with a ton of practical advice.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews