Glass ceiling
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The number of women in senior positions has declined, a new report has revealed.
The annual report, from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), showed that fewer women hold top jobs in 12 of the 25 of the report’s categories since 2007, while the number of women has increased in just eight areas.
The report estimates that, at the current rate of progress, it will now take 15 years longer for women to achieve equalilty at the top levels in the judiciary, and FTSE 100 companies women directors may have to wait a further eight years.
Nicola Brewer, chief executive of the EHRC, said: “Young women's aspirations are in danger of giving way to frustration. Many of them are now excelling at school and are achieving great things in higher education. And they are keen to balance a family with a rewarding career. But workplaces forged in an era of 'stay at home mums' and 'breadwinner dads' are putting too many barriers in the way - resulting in an avoidable loss of talent at the top.”
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Readers' comments (1)
Frank Hutton | Thu, 4 Sep 2008 1:39 pm
Writing as someone who has had 90% female bosses (happily) in his 30 years in business and who runs a company that has a senior director happily brought back on flexible part time terms (requested by her) rather than a full time option following maternity leave , I am incredulous of the coverage this item has received across all media.
Can Nicola Brewer, chief executive of the EHRC justify her statement, statistically or otherwise: “workplaces forged in an era of 'stay at home mums' and 'breadwinner dads' are putting too many barriers in the way - resulting in an avoidable loss of talent at the top.” Could it not just be that many women are choosing to balance their lives more in favour of family out of choice? And if that is their choice, surely this must be good?
From a point of accuracy – is there actually a problem? OK there were more categories going down than up – but there were a considerable number (8) which did increase and a further 6 that stayed the same. That makes 14. More than 12. So overall surely things have improved?
I am a recruiter in a specialist area where I know of a good number of women who have chosen their own path rather than being directed or prevented by archaic views. Perhaps some more in depth analysis would be more helpful to women and to business.
Most importantly, how can was stop people from pursuing political agendas on non-existent issues using public (our) money?
Frank Hutton
Managing Director
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