A recent study by Aon India (Aon’s 2024 Voice of Women Study) reveals that nearly 42% of women in corporate jobs in India face bias at work, with 37% dealing with insensitive behaviour. Also 6% women experienced sexual harassment at workplace but less than half reported. While 90% of women are motivated to go the extra mile by working longer hours, taking on challenging projects, and upskilling, many still face bias and insensitive behaviour.
It collected responses from almost 24,000 professional women across over 560 companies, shedding light on their workplace challenges and the current state of workplace inclusivity.
75% working mothers reported career setbacks of one to two years after maternity leave, and nearly 40% said their pay was negatively impacted or their roles changed to less desirable positions.
The study also highlights a troubling trend in senior management, where 34% of women in leadership roles reported facing discrimination, compared to 17% of women in entry-level positions.
Women who faced bias were 3.5 times more likely to perceive their organisational experience as unfair, with 21% indicating intentions to leave their jobs within a year, compared to only 6% of women who did not face bias.
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Nitin Sethi, CEO of Talent Solutions in India for Aon, stated, “Bias at work is impeding businesses’ efforts to engage and retain skilled and committed women in the workforce. It is a reality that cannot be brushed aside. Building an inclusive work culture has to be a CEO-led priority.”
Sethi urged business decision-makers to take immediate action to address systemic bias through inclusive policies and practices. These include equitable pay, career progression, and maternity guardrails. He added that top leaders must model the right behaviours and ensure accountability for fostering an inclusive culture that shapes everyday interactions within teams and the organisation.
The presence of women in leadership roles has been shown to impact the perception and experiences of female employees positively. According to the study, 53% of women who have visible female leaders in their organisation feel confident about their career growth, 52% report a positive impact on workplace culture, and 41% view these leaders as role models.
Shilpa Khanna, Associate Partner and DEI Practice Leader of Talent Solutions in India for Aon, and the study’s leader, stated, “Addressing gender issues is critical for businesses in India as they tackle talent shortage and navigate an uncertain business environment. Businesses should enhance their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) efforts by actively listening to women and using data-driven insights. She stressed the need for informed decisions to remove barriers and update policies that support women employees at various life stages. The data highlights that the higher the positive experiences women have at the workplace, the greater representation of women in the workforce.”
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