Employers In India Actively Promoting Gender Parity In Offices, IT Sector Most Diverse: Survey

The latest edition of the ManpowerGroup India Employment Outlook Survey included 3,150 Indian employers and found that internal leadership development initiatives helped secure a diversified workforce

A recent study revealed that a major proportion of employers in India are undertaking active measures to boost diversity and gender parity in the workspaces. These employers are adopting progressive policies, promoting upskilling and flexibility for employees, and have reshaped the hiring strategies by making women's hiring mandatory across levels in several sectors.

The latest research conducted by ManpowerGroup India in its Employment Outlook Survey revealed that 54 per cent of employers in the country expressed optimism regarding their firm’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives being on point in encouraging female participation in the workforce at several levels. The survey found that female involvement in workplaces in the country exceeded the global average, reported PTI.

The survey involved the examination of 3,150 Indian employers and found that internal leadership development initiatives remained the most efficient in retaining and securing a diversified workforce.

Among the sectors, the Information Technology (IT) sector dominated in enhancing the diversity ratio in offices, while healthcare, life sciences, financials, and real estate sectors closely followed. On the other hand, the consumer goods and services sector lagged behind and indicated a major need for improvement. 

Elaborating on the study’s findings, Sandeep Gulati, MD, ManpowerGroup India and Middle East, said, “India's gender diversity is among the best worldwide and it is encouraging to see women participation in the workforce increasing at a rapid pace. Organisations have realigned their hiring strategies by mandating women hiring at every level across sectors.”

Amongst positions, the survey found that senior-level management positions remained the most likely to fall behind in terms of women candidates, and this indicated the greatest opportunity for employers to make a notable impact on the workforce.

In terms of factors contributing to gender equality, the survey found that a majority of 80 per cent of employers shared that technology boosted flexibility, in turn, promoting gender parity. Tech advancements closely followed with 77 per cent respondents stating that tech advancements helped support the cause.