Men, Women, Equally Committed To Career: Study

A recent study has found that men and women are becoming equally ambitious in their careers, improving equality at workplace.

The study, titled "From Intention to Impact: Bridging the Diversity Gap in the Workplace", was led by global management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG). It found that a staggering 87% Indian women want to progress in their careers. It negates the common phenomenon that women don't  commit to their careers as men.

The survey covered 1,500 employees across 25 large Indian companies. It noted that 60% women say that their companies have a gender diversity policy. However, only 29% feel that they have benefited from the policy.

A large chunk of working women in leadership positions feel that everyone -- regardless of their genders -- must earn their living.

Talking about being pregnant while working, journalist Sunetra Choudhary said at an event, “While working in the newsroom and being pregnant, often women bosses as much as men bosses consider maternity leave as a break. I can’t believe that even today -- when we have come so far -- that people consider maternity leave as time off work. We need to keep telling each other that I am bringing up a child.”

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When it comes to men, a whopping 73% believe that their companies have a gender equality program in place. The inference was that men are more positive about their companies’ gender equality policies than women.

"It is important to engage male employees to promote gender diversity. A strong correlation exists between men's support for gender diversity and its subsequent progress"

"It is important to engage male employees to promote gender diversity. A strong correlation exists between men's support for gender diversity and its subsequent progress. Unless men are champions of and equal stakeholders in this agenda, it will always remain a special interest women's support program," said Priyanka Aggarwal, Partner and Director at BCG, News 18 reported.

"When men act as change agents, the program becomes free from any prejudices and people view policies as fair and neutral. Men can be involved as mentors for women or as core members of the design and implementation team of the program," Aggarwal said.

The study reveals that companies must utilize their time and effort in applying anti-discrimination policies and regulatory requirements. They can also implement providing parental leave and child care and offering flexible working models.

The consulting firm took the survey in five categories of interventions -- recruitment, retention, advancement, leadership, and culture.

Picture credit- The way women work