The first report in our Visions of Britain 2020 series has thrown up a number of findings about the HR industry which are certainly provoking some thought and discussion around Friends Provident.
I have shared some of these before, but on delving deeper into the report other interesting findings have emerged. That is the real advantage of a report of this kind - the wealth of material that comes to light the second or third time you read it.
A couple of findings, however, have done much more than catch my eye – they have stunned me – specifically the statement that 'Women will not have reached full pay parity with men by 2020'.
When I read this sentence the first time, I have to admit I wasn’t that shocked. Despite a shift towards increased gender equality in the workplace, it is common knowledge that the glass ceiling is still in place.
However this ceiling is gradually being smashed isn’t it? With more and more women making it to the top and having a real impact in business, a knock-on effect is starting. More and more people are beginning to understand the role women play and gradually old-fashioned attitudes are fading away. Or are they?
According to our report, they are not. Look at these statements:
- 37% of Britons agree that a woman should be prepared to cut down on her paid work for the sake of her family
- One in eight Britons agree that men have more of a right to jobs when they are scarce
I agree with Barry Clark, the report author, when he says that these views are surprising and shocking.
However the 1,000 consumers we polled for the report back up these views, revealing startling differences between the sexes, and the extent to which attitudes amongst women are acting as a barrier to future equality in the workplace.
Our very own findings suggest shifting priorities amongst women when compared with their male counterparts, which is perhaps perpetuating the idea that men are still the ‘breadwinners’. Our findings show:
- 24% of women consider salary to be the most important factor at work, compared to 37% of men
- 23% of women would rather work less and be paid less – compared to 17% of men
- One in five (20%) of women would be prepared to take a salary cut for more holiday entitlement, compared to just 10% of men
- Over half of women questioned, 56%, would not move at all for their job. This compares to 40% of men
To me, this suggests a huge difference in the way men and women approach work and is therefore a key consideration when looking at future equality in the workplace. It it potentially reinforces traditional stereotypes about the role of women in the workplace and spells a dilemma for employers in the future. Employers will have to start thinking creatively about how to continue to recognise and reward women in the next decade. But more of that in our next chapter ...
So you see, the thing about this report is although it clearly floats my boat as an HR director, I think it is far bigger than that and presents each of us with our own challenges and food for thought. I’d love to hear what you think. What are you most concerned about in the next decade when it comes to your working life? Are your priorities the same as the women we spoke to or do you disagree?
Gillian Fox, Human Resources Director, Friends Provident
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