Survey: 7 in 10 women techies feel gender diversity in workplace is only a marketing tool

Nearly half of the women employees (45%) surveyed feel that non-diverse hiring panels contribute to biased recruitment processes. In fact, one in three (30%) survey participants said their technical skills are undervalued when compared to their male peers.

As per the survey, 60% of the female employees in the mid-senior level (with 5-10 years of experience) believe that companies should be held accountable for equitable hiring practices.

While the aforementioned issues mostly arise at the time of hiring or at the beginning of the career, they continue to cast a shadow over women’s entire career trajectory.

When asked what they felt about gender diversity in the tech industry, 65% said they do not have a voice at the table, 57% felt they lacked training, 42% said they have to work harder to prove themselves, and an equal number cited a lack of equity in pay.

Therefore, as it turns out, companies with equitable benefits are in high demand from job seekers. The quest for a supportive ecosystem becomes a focal point, with professionals seeking an equilibrium that enables them to thrive both professionally and personally, the report said.

While choosing the next gig, the survey suggests, 90% of job seekers look for access to mental health resources and support programmes. More than 80% of the surveyed women emphasised the significance of flexible work arrangements and family-friendly policies for achieving a balance between career aspirations and family commitments. “The hybrid work model gained favour among respondents, offering flexibility while allowing professionals to derive the best of both worlds.”

Also, 65% valued extended parental leave policies, stressing the importance of onsite childcare facilities while 40% of surveyed women expressed a desire for family-friendly policies to cultivate a more inclusive workplace environment.

Female employees have expressed a strong interest in upskilling and reskilling. As many as 74.6% of the surveyed participants recognised the pivotal role of peer learning in their educational journey within the tech industry.

Almost half of them (45%) feel unprepared for new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics while 35% express the need for access to learning and mentorship from experienced female tech leaders.

A substantial 75% of respondents expressed aspirations for leadership roles, underlining the ambition to ascend to influential positions within the tech sector. Despite these aspirations, only 20% of participants perceive an adequate representation of women in senior positions, highlighting a pressing need for greater inclusivity, the report points out.

Interestingly, as per the report, global capability centres (GCCs) have managed to recognise diversity as more than just an HR function but as a vital aspect of their core business operations.

The report claims that gender diversity is one of the foundational pillars at GCCs right from its inception. During the early years (1-2 years of establishment), their diversity ratio typically ranges between 22-27%, quickly ramping up to beyond 35% within 4-5 years of operations.

The responses from 60% of women in Bangalore (similar trends in other metro cities) with 6-10 years of experience suggest that GCCs genuinely prioritise gender diversity and have a clear and well-defined strategy for diversity, ensuring that it is integrated into the organisational culture and operations.