Nearly half of women bemoan insufficient gender diversity work policies

They believe greater transparency can help address this.

Nearly half (49%) of women believe that their employers are not doing enough to progress gender diversity in the workplace as 45% believe that gender, ethnicity, age and sexual preference are still significant barriers to career progression, according to a survey by accounting and professional services firm PwC. 

As such, more than half (58%) of women identified greater transparency as a step bosses can take to enhance career development opportunities. This means having open conversations on job expectations, employee performance and other information that would boost career progression.

“Leaders should focus on creating an environment where women – and men – can have open conversations, and where there is clarity on what it takes to progress. This will benefit everyone and will lead to better results overall,” said PwC Global Chairman Bob Moritz.

Women employees also cite a strategic support network both at home in workplace that can boost their career aspirations as they juggle responsibilities in both public spaces.

This means that employers should also take into account the fact that women also serve an important function in households in providing organisational solutions like maternity and paternity leaves and re-entry programmes.

“Flexibility alone is not the issue: many people don’t take leave or care furloughs precisely because they believe it will hurt their careers.Employers must recognise that everyone is making flexibility demands – it’s not a life-stage or gender-only issue – and help and encourage their people to take advantage of the programmes in place,” the report added.