Women were disproportionately impacted during COVID-19 pandemic; more than a fifth said they experienced ‘favourable bias’ at work
As many as 85 per cent women missed out on a raise, promotion or work offer because of their gender in India, according to Linkedin Opportunity Index 2021. The average for this gender bias in the Asia-Pacific (ACPC) region was 60 per cent.
The index surveyed 2,285 respondents to analyse how gender bias slowed down their career progress.
When asked about reasons for being unhappy with opportunities to advance in their careers, more than a fifth (22 per cent) working women said their companies exhibited a ‘favourable bias’ towards men at work, when compared to the regional average of 16 per cent.
The report claimed that women were disproportionately impacted during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic amid expectations to juggle home and work life.
According to the report:
More than half working women as well as working mothers in India expect organisations to offer reduced or part-time schedules (56 per cent) and robust maternity leaves and policies (55 per cent) to make the transition smoother.
Telecommuting or work-from-home was also appreciated by women surveyed during the pandemic, the report stated.
It also highlighted the disparities in perception around equal pay and work opportunities.
While 37 per cent of India’s working women said they got fewer opportunities than men, only a quarter of the men surveyed agreed with this. More women (37 per cent) said they get paid less than men; 21 per cent men share the sentiment.
Another highlight of the report was how lack of time and family care stopped seven in 10 Indian women from advancing their careers.
For example, both men and women sought job security, a job they love and a good work-life balance, but more women (63 per cent) thought a person’s gender is important to get ahead in life as compared to men (54 per cent).
The report stated that 71 per cent working women and 77 per cent working mothers felt familial responsibilities came in the way of career development. Nearly 63 per cent working women and 69 per cent working mothers said they faced discrimination at work because of familial and household responsibilities.
Women also sought employers who treated them as their equals (50 per cent); 56 per cent looked to get recognition at work for what they do.
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