Working Women in Canada Perceive Significant Glass Ceiling, Divide With Men on Salaries, Influence, Promotions and Tasks
Women perceive a divide with men when it comes to salaries (83% -- 26% very large divide vs. 38% moderate divide vs. 19% small divide), having influence in making important decisions (83% -- 20% very large vs. 43% moderate vs. 20% small), getting promotions (82% -- 22% very large vs. 40% moderate vs. 20% small), and getting the best jobs/tasks/projects (82% -- 19% very large vs. 41% moderate vs. 22% small). In fact, just three in ten women are working as a senior executive (9%) or management (21%) capacity, while most (71%) are below management level.
Advancement into More Senior Roles...
Thinking about some of the factors that can prevent women from advancing to more senior roles within Canadian organizations, women believe that the predominant issues are that `employers fear absences due to family obligations' (47%) and that they also `fear possible maternity leave' (42%). Other factors include perceptions of women in managerial roles (38%), women being less willingness to relocate for more senior positions than men (22%), personal confidence (21% total, although 27% of those working in a STEM field), a lack of executive sponsors or mentors for female employees (16%), limited social networks or personal connections (7%) or some other factor (4%). Notably, just two in ten (19%) believe that, in their experience, none of these things hold employers back from advancing women to senior roles.
Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Field or Skilled Trades...
The survey revealed that just 5% of working women presently work in a STEM field - science, technology, engineering or mathematics. However, among women who don't currently work in the field, three in ten (27%) say that if they had the right support and guidance, they might have pursued a career in STEM or a skilled trade.
The Art of Networking...
To professionally network, the top three tools used by working women today are `one-on-one opportunities like lunch or coffee' (38%), `Facebook or other online social (non-business) group (37%) and conferences or other business events (25%), which is tied with `LinkedIn or other online business group' (25%). Following the top three are `webinars and other online education resources' (15%) and other tactics (24%).
These are some of the findings from an Ipsos Reid survey conducted between August 17 and 21, 2015, on behalf of Randstad. A sample of 1,005 working women was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance regional composition according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/- 3.5 percentage points had all Canadian women who work been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Vice President
Ipsos Public Affairs
(416) 572-4474
[email protected]
About Ipsos in Canada
Ipsos is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos' marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.
To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks third in the global research industry.
With offices in 86 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.
Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.
Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,669.5 ($2,218.4 million) in 2014.
Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos' offerings and capabilities.
