Over 40% Of Women Report Workplace Bias: Study

Despite Women's willingness to work harder, including through upskilling and taking on challenging projects, women still encounter substantial biases and obstacles

73 per cent of women consider themselves ambitious, and 90 per cent are ready to invest extra effort to achieve success, reveals a survey by Aon. However, they face significant obstacles such as workplace bias, mental exhaustion, and challenges following maternity leave. These issues contribute to a higher rate of women leaving the workforce, according to The 2024 Voice of Women Study India. 

Women frequently miss out on career opportunities due to factors beyond their control. This study surveyed over 24,000 professional women across 560 companies to identify the most pressing workplace challenges.

Despite their willingness to work harder, including through upskilling and taking on challenging projects, women still encounter substantial biases and obstacles.

Sexual Harassment At Work

While 42 per cent of respondents reported experiencing or witnessing bias, and 37 per cent encountered insensitive behaviour, the situation is even more alarming when it comes to sexual harassment. Approximately 6 per cent of the respondents (about 1,400 women) admitted to having faced sexual harassment at work at least once. Even more concerning, fewer than half of these women reported the incidents to their employers.

This underscores the urgent need for organisations to take more comprehensive measures to ensure a safer work environment for women.

Motherhood Penalty

The study reveals a pattern similar to the "motherhood penalty" identified by Nobel Prize-winning economist Claudia Goldin in her extensive labour market research. Approximately 75 per cent of women reported experiencing career setbacks for one to two years after returning from maternity leave. Furthermore, 40 per cent noted a negative impact on their pay and a shift to less desirable roles following their leave.

Breaking Through Or Breaking Down

Discrimination at the leadership level is particularly concerning. About 34 per cent of women in senior positions reported facing discrimination, compared to 17 per cent of women in entry-level roles. Unsurprisingly, over 20 per cent of those experiencing bias indicated they might leave their organisation within a year.

Role Model

The presence of female leaders in organisations has a significant impact. Among the respondents, 53 per cent who observed women in leadership roles felt more confident about their career advancement. Similarly, this visibility positively affected company culture by reducing biases in critical processes like promotions, performance reviews, and compensation.