Women of Colour Continue to Lose Ground in Workplace

Women of colour are continuing to lose ground in the workplace, despite companies’ efforts to attract and retain them, according to a new study.

Today’s workplace does not equitably support, endorse or promote women of colour, according to an in-depth new report by the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative (BJKLI) and nFormation of more than 1,500 women. Despite the fact that companies claim they are working to prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in their organisations, 70% of women of colour say they must prove themselves repeatedly. Another 66% say they lack sponsors and mentors in the workplace. In fact, only 9% of the White women surveyed said they currently sponsor a woman of colour in their company.

Additionally, 57% of women of colour believe damaging stereotypes have hurt their career; while 25% feel their supervisors do not respect their opinions. A further 19% are less likely to feel their skills are valued, revealed the study. “Women of colour are leaving the workforce in historic numbers,” stated Billie Jean King, Co-founder of the BJKLI which she founded in 2014 to foster workplaces that are free of discrimination and inequality. “We need to listen to women of colour to uncover how to best support and champion them. This research is a step toward learning directly from women of colour so that allies and changemakers can better understand how to lead from a place of change.” 

LOSS OF VITAL TALENT

“Organisations are losing vital talent and women of colour are the solution,” added Deepa Purushothaman, Co-founder of nFormation. “We have a unique opportunity to reimagine a new way forward that centres work on the needs and wants of women of colour, which in turn, will drive success not only for business, but for everyone.”

“It is not often our voices and our experiences are centred in workplace discussions,” said Rha Goddess, Co-founder of nFormation. “We know what needs to be fixed, and now is the moment for companies to listen to us because if you don’t, we will take our gifts elsewhere.”

The study also put forward several solutions that allies and companies can take; one of which is providing equal pay to their employees. Women of colour are 25% less likely to say they are fairly compensated to white women in the same position. Companies can – and should – conduct independent audits of their compensation practices to ensure an equitable workplace. Another first step could be establishing more flexible work solutions; 97% of women of colour want a more flexible work environment.

BETTER PROCESSES TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION

Organisations should establish more formal processes. For example, 96% of respondents feel that companies must establish better processes to investigate racism and discrimination at work. 

Corporations should also consider how to better support and develop their talent pipeline; 92% of women of colour agree companies must establish specific goals for hiring and promoting them into influential positions; and 72% of women of colour want external coaching with experts who understand their unique challenges. For individuals in leadership positions, the survey clearly showed that they need to be true advocates and mentors.

Finally, when it comes to DE&I, 96% of women of colour believe companies need to establish “true and honest” commitments. As one participant said, “This is a business problem; it’s a human resources issue. We innovate around sales and new product development. Let’s innovate around diversity and inclusion.”

 Corporate America is still failing women of colour despite two years of increased focus on racial equity, reveals another study. Click here to read more.