Only 12% staff believe gender equality exists at their company

Just 12% of workers actually believe there is gender equality in their place of work, according to new research.

Additionally, only 8% of staff report having a clear understanding of their company’s gender equality targets, according to the study from INvolve, supported by Censuswide. While recent news that most FTSE 100 companies have achieved the 33% target for women on boards set by the Hampton-Alexander Review is progress, this is still far from representing equality across all levels of business, noted INvolve’s study.

Its findings clearly show that businesses have a very long way to go before anything like gender parity in the workplace is achieved. In fact, according to another INvolve poll of nearly 2,000 respondents, over half (59%) believe the gender pay gap will never close.  

STOP SHELVING GENDER EQUALITY

Following the biggest set-back for women’s equality in a generation, and as children and workers finally return to school and workplace, CEO & Founder of INvolve, Suki Sandhu OBE, has called on all companies to “stop shelving gender equality and set the precedent” if we are to solve the gender inequality crisis caused by the pandemic.

“While most within the FTSE 100 itself have reached the 33% target set by the Hampton-Alexander Review, we can’t help but feel there is a ‘one and done’ situation occurring here which has been exacerbated by the pandemic,” stated Sandhu.  

FALLING WORKPLACE PROGRESSION FOR WOMEN

“Post-2021, very few FTSE 100 companies have publicly available or external data which showcases a determination to push the boundaries of the Hampton-Alexander Review by creating ambitious new targets and aims to drive gender parity. It appears that because of the pressure of the Covid-19 pandemic, the emphasis placed on gender diversity and closing the gender divide has fallen by the wayside,” remarked Sandhu.

But at what cost? Women’s progression in the workplace “has fallen behind by at least a generation,” pointed out Sandhu. “Only 2,500 companies met the encouraged deadline of gender pay gap reporting in April; and, as we can see by our data, only 1 in 10 people believe there is gender equality in their place of work. Without ambitious targets in place, the disparity women are facing, and have faced for decades, is likely to become entrenched and our businesses, society and economy will suffer because of it.” 

The call for serious change come as INvolve released its latest HERoes Women Role Model Lists today; a global celebration of women in business who are playing a central role in breaking down gender diversity barriers at work, using their positions to keep diversity and inclusion at the top of the business agenda.  Click here to read more.