(PTI): Work-life balance is the key obstacle preventing women from advancing in careers or breaking the glass ceiling, said 70 per cent of respondents in a survey conducted by learntech startup Hero Vired.
About 77 per cent of the respondents also observed an increase in the representation of women in leadership positions compared to previous years, it said.
Hero Vired said the report ‘Women in Modern Workplaces in India’ is based on insights from the survey that reached out to 2 lakh women. The survey comes ahead of the International Women’s Day on March 8.
The report based on insights gathered from a survey of 2 lakh women, found that for 70% of the women, the main challenge in career progression was achieving a satisfactory work-life balance.
This revelation comes as a significant call to action for organisations and policymakers to address the intricate interplay between professional responsibilities and personal commitments in contemporary work environments.
Key Findings:
- 70% of women identify work-life balance as the primary obstacle to career advancement.
- 77% of respondents have seen an increase in women’s representation in leadership roles compared to previous years.
- 59% of respondents believe women in today’s workforce have equal opportunities as men.
- 78% of respondents who acknowledged the benefit of having more women in leadership positions believe it contributes to promoting diversity and inclusion.
- 55% of respondents advocate specialised upskilling programmes for women returning to work after a career break.
- 85% of respondents believe that upskilling can help women progress in the modern workplace.
- 65% of women are inclined to invest in upskilling and career development.
- 69% of respondents cite lack of time as the primary barrier for pursuing upskilling opportunities.
The report pointed out the hurdles encountered by women re-entering the workforce after a career break.
Key obstacles include feeling disconnected from technological advancements, concerns about skill degradation, and difficulty in finding suitable job opportunities.
Despite the desire to reintegrate and advance in their careers, these challenges often impede women from fully leveraging their potential in the workplace.
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Amidst these challenges, there are notable signs of progress in diversity and inclusion efforts within organisations. The report reveals that 77% of respondents have witnessed an increase in the representation of women in leadership positions compared to previous years.
Moreover, 59% of respondents believe that women in today’s workforce have equal opportunities as men, indicating shifting perceptions towards workplace equality.
Around 78|% of the respondents thought having more women in leadership positions would help is boosting diversity and inclusion.
These positive developments are attributed to supportive leadership, gender-inclusive hiring and promotion practices, and diversity initiatives implemented by organisations.
Despite advancements, the report unveiled the persistence of biases faced by women in the workplace. Common challenges include a lack of growth opportunities, microaggressions, and pay disparities.
Additionally, women returning to work after career breaks encounter difficulties in reacclimating to the workplace culture, exacerbating feelings of disconnection and apprehension.
The report underscored the pivotal role of upskilling in enabling women to keep pace with opportunities in the modern workplace — 55% thought that upskilling programmes helped women get back to their career after a break while 85% thought it could help in the modern workplace.
However, despite 65% of respondents stating they wanted to invest in career development and upskilling, 69% cited lack of time as the primary barrier to pursuing upskilling opportunities.
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