HBR.org

Why workplace equality initiatives aren't helping women

Companies say they treat men and women equally, but they don't. Our recent survey shows that employees are disappointed with the way their company handles gender parity.

Von Orit Gadiesh and Julie Coffman

First published on Januar 07, 2010
Min. Lesezeit


This article originally appeared on HBR.org. Companies say they treat men and women equally-but in reality, they don't. Our recent gender-parity survey of more than 1,800 business people worldwide, conducted in association with HBR.org, shows that in fact, employees are disappointed with the way their company handles the issue of gender parity—the attempt to treat men and women equally in the workforce. Nearly 80 percent of women and men say they are convinced of the benefits of gender parity at all levels. But only about 20 percent believe their companies actually put meaningful resources behind it. Most companies simply fall down in the follow-through. Almost three-quarters of respondents say their companies launched initiatives like flex work programs and mentorships, but fewer than 25 percent feel they are effective: employees just don't see enough women in leadership positions at their company. Read the full blog post at Harvard Business Review online.

This article originally appeared on HBR.org.

Companies say they treat men and women equally-but in reality, they don't. Our recent gender-parity survey of more than 1,800 business people worldwide, conducted in association with HBR.org, shows that in fact, employees are disappointed with the way their company handles the issue of gender parity—the attempt to treat men and women equally in the workforce. Nearly 80 percent of women and men say they are convinced of the benefits of gender parity at all levels. But only about 20 percent believe their companies actually put meaningful resources behind it.

Most companies simply fall down in the follow-through. Almost three-quarters of respondents say their companies launched initiatives like flex work programs and mentorships, but fewer than 25 percent feel they are effective: employees just don't see enough women in leadership positions at their company.

Read the full blog post at Harvard Business Review online.