Around two-thirds of women in the UK believe that their employer has a long way to go to achieve gender equality, on issues ranging from career prospects and personal development to parental support, according to new research.
In the week that marks International Women’s Day, which focuses on #BreakTheBias this year, the findings highlight the need for continual efforts to address workplace gender equality.
The research carried out by global tech consultancy Thoughtworks asked a nationally representative sample of over 1,000 women about how they rated the company they worked for on a range of inclusion issues. It found that around two-thirds of women believed their organisations were behind the industry when it came to equal pay and equitable opportunity (63%), representation (64%), and career development (64%).
GENDER INEQUALITY STATISTICS
Additionally, a significant proportion of women believe that their employer either does not have a plan or does not know where to start to address issues of equal pay (30%), representation (26%) or career development (32%). Less than half of the women surveyed (39%) could point to initiatives put in place by the organisation to address gender inequality; and only one in seven said their organisation had programmes to mentor women employees. However, almost a quarter said their employer provided inclusion training.
In terms of supporting parents in the workplace, a similarly high proportion of women felt there was more work that could be done. Around 63% felt that their organisations were behind the industry when it came to supporting working parents; with 29% believing their organisation either did not have a plan to resolve this issue or did not know where to start. Just one in six (18%) said their organisation has an official return to work programme.
GENDER EQUALITY BUSINESS BENEFITS
More broadly, asking a sample of men, women and underrepresented gender minorities, the research found that the vast majority of organisations (89%) agreed that there were business benefits from championing gender equality issues. Almost a third (29%) could see that it would foster better employee relationships, with the same proportion believing it would increase staff retention.
“There have been some seismic shifts in just a couple of generations; however our results serve as a reminder that the finishing line is still some way off,” stated Amy Lynch, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Thoughtworks. “We have to be candid that some challenges remain, but we can change this with positive action, effective policies and dedication all year round.”
This is particularly important for the tech sector, she highlighted. “There is a wealth of talent out there that does not fit a preconceived ‘mold’; and importantly could offer a sector which relies on innovation and different ways of thinking, a fresh perspective,” noted Lynch. “A culture of inclusion and equity is an essential factor in the quest to attract and retain the best talent. It is the responsibility of leaders within the sector to create paths to give communities that feel technology is not for them the confidence to apply for jobs.”
Just 24% of UK companies have submitted gender pay gap reports, despite the fast approaching deadline, revealing actions don’t match company intentions, according to a new study. Click here to read more.
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