Boys' club still dominates
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| Hays Director Darren Buchanan; Pic supplied by James Robertson |
Australian women are still being barred from accessing senior management roles in business, according to a new survey by Hays recruitment.
The survey asked over 700 employees if the number of women in their senior management team represented the number in their business overall. More than 50 per cent said "no", while just over a quarter said "yes" and nearly 20 per cent said it could be improved upon.
Darren Buchanan, director of Hays in Sydney, said the results of the study showed that a "deep-seated perception" about women's position in the workforce still exists.
"Traditionally it has just been assumed that women leave the workforce to have children or aren't as career focused as their male counterparts, but this is not the case.
"There are a lot of women out there who are extremely career driven and many who manage to build both their career and raise a family.
"Unfortunately, at senior management level it's a bit of a vicious circle," Buchanan explained.
"Women aren't being promoted into some jobs because of deep-seated attitudes that they won't be able to perform at the same level as a man. This means they aren't being exposed to certain positions or acquiring the skills that will carry them to the next level."
Although equality in the workplace had come along in "leaps and bounds" over the last 50 years Mr Buchanan said the survey sent a clear message to employers around the country that there was still a long way to go.
He also said the current skills shortage that was pushing employers to change their attitudes and seek out employees from the older generation and increase their female contingency, was already benefiting women.
"It has given females an opportunity to really show what they can do, helping to change the perception of their male colleagues and bosses."
Mr Buchanan said the recruitment industry was a good example of a workplace environment where women excelled at senior management level.
"I think it's because women tend to have better interpersonal skills and communication skills and are more focused on doing the business over schmoozing and networking."
He said women bosses also tended to be more logical when it came to selecting staff
"They're more likely to pick the right person for the right job based on their previous experience, while there is a chance their male counterparts will choose someone who "fits in" with the boys."
At Hays, 56 per cent of its managers are women.
Hays has been awarded the 2008 'EOWA Employer of Choice for Women' (EOCFW) citation for the 6th consecutive year.