Aware of hidden agendas, people no longer believe in the possibility of absolute truth or complete transparency from institutions, public figures, and individuals. Yet they are still drawn to honesty, integrity, and – at times – even vulnerability, which they expect from peers and brands alike.

Diverse representation is an expectation, but as individuals no longer allow themselves to be defined in singular terms, there's mounting pressure on brands to understand and sensitively reflect how the intersections between race, gender, class, and ability impact people's everyday lives.

In the US, Apple is being accused by its workers of suppressing open salary discussion after a series of HR actions, including shutting down Slack channels and internal surveys. Pay transparency is quickly becoming shorthand for an authentic commitment to reducing the gender pay gap.

F*** You Pay Me is an app that aims to eradicate pay disparity for influencers. Similar to Glassdoor, content creators can anonymously share their experience of collaborating with brands, providing transparency on rates and helping other influencers to get paid equitably.

People actively choose not to shop from companies with poor pay equality. As demand for transparency increases and many companies’ pay policies become public, values-based shoppers are buying from places that prioritize equal pay so equity-minded brands can highlight positive pay structures.

Women often shy away from highlighting their achievements and value at work. But considering they’re positively impacted by another woman’s success, how can brands, platforms, and an inclusive approach help women get comfortable sharing their success and inspire them to claim their worth?