Gender Pay Parity: 37% Indian Working Women Get Paid Less Than Men, Suggests Report

There is a clear difference in perception about equal pay also as more women (37 percent) say they get paid less than men while only 21 percent of men agree with this statement.

New Delhi: Even as 66 percent of Indians believe that the condition of gender equality has improved compared to their parents' time, working women still face the strongest gender bias across Asia Pacific countries. The revelation has been made in LinkedIn's Opportunity Index 2021 report released on Tuesday.

LinkedIn, the online professional networking platform, commissioned independent market research firm GfK to conduct this online survey between January 26 to 31. Participants ranged from 18 to 65 years in terms of age.

Respondents include more than 10,000 people across the Asia Pacific region from Australia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. In India, the survey covered 2,285 respondents, 1,223 of whom were males and 1,053 were females. Based on this sample size, the LinkedIn Opportunity Index 2021 reports the perceived difference in opportunities available for men and women in the market.

In this alarming report, one in five (22 percent) working women in India stated that their companies exhibit a 'favourable bias' towards men when compared to the regional average of 16 percent. This was among the reasons why women are unhappy with opportunities given to progress in their careers.

While 37 percent of working women in India feel they get fewer opportunities than men, only 25 percent of men agree with this.

There is a clear difference in perception about equal pay also as more women (37 percent) say they get paid less than men while only 21 percent of men agree with this statement. Deeper analysis also reveals that more women in India have experienced the impact of gender on career development when compared to the A-Pac region.

In another worrying revelation, more than four in five Indian working women (85 percent) claim to have missed out on a promotion, raise, or work offer because of their gender compared to the regional average of 60 percent.

The main three job opportunities sought by both men and women are job security, a job that they love, and a good work-life balance.

But despite wanting similar things, more women (63 percent) think a person's gender is important to get ahead in life in comparison to men (54 percent). The report also reveals that more than 7 in 10 working women (71 percent) and working mothers (77 percent) feel that managing responsibilities of their home/family often gets in the way of advancing in career.

In fact, about two-thirds of working women (63 percent) and working mothers (69 percent) reported that they have faced discrimination at work because of family and home-related responsibilities. 

While job security is important for working women in the nation, women are also laying more emphasis on the type of employer they choose to work with, the recognition they will receive for the work they do, and the skills that will be utilised on the job. As per the findings, women are actively looking for employers who treat them as equal (50 percent) while 56 percent are looking to get recognition at their workplace.

Lack of required professional skills and guidance through networks and connections are also some of the hindrances that working women face here in terms of career development. Significantly, women have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 pandemic, and as seen worldwide the expectations to manage home and work has wreaked havoc in their lives.

As a result of such barriers, more than one in two women and working mothers in India expect companies to offer reduced or part-time schedules (56 percent) and robust maternity leaves and policies (55 percent) to make the transition smoother. Telecommuting or work-from-home has been appreciated by women across the workforce during the pandemic, and it is witnessed as the top-ranking demand for them along with other flexibility programmes.

More than one in two women are also seeking more professional connections and mentors who can help them advance their careers, as 65 percent of women agree that lack of guidance through networks is a key opportunity barrier.

"Gender inequality at work and added domestic responsibilities amid the pandemic have collectively made women's jobs more vulnerable at this time," said Ruchee Anand, Director for talent and learning solutions in India at LinkedIn.

"As Covid-19 continues to widen these gaps, this year's LinkedIn Opportunity Index report suggests that it is the need of the hour for organisations to reimagine their diversity practices and offer greater flexibility to care-givers in order to increase female participation in the workforce," she added.

Anand advised that reduced and flexible schedules, more sabbaticals, and new opportunities to upskill and learn are important things that companies can offer to attract, hire and retain more female talent.