A 30-year-old female friend of mine working in IT told me recently she is fed up with the lack of opportunities at her company.
Fear of discrimination by other employers, however, has discouraged her from leaving.
‘What other firm would be keen to employ a woman of child-bearing age?’ she said.
Is my friend being naive? Or, more worryingly, is she just being realistic?
Research recently released by The Training Camp might suggest naivety, because it shows two-thirds of women (67 per cent) feel it is more difficult to get into the industry than it is to progress through the ranks.
All well and good then. Fears of discrimination are surely groundless in an age of equal opportunities in the workplace. But before the industry gives itself a collective slap on the back, it is worth bearing in mind that the
Training Camp research also shows just 52 per cent of women believe they can move up the IT career ladder faster than in other sectors – hardly a ringing endorsement for equality.
The IT industry does little to help change its poor image. Research from trade association Intellect shows that the percentage of females in technology jobs has fallen over the past five years, despite growing awareness of the need for more inclusive recruitment and retention policies.
Just 19 per cent of IT workers are women, according to sector skills body e-Skills UK. Many are clustered in lower skilled areas, with 61 per cent performing database administration roles.
Intellect attributes the low retention of women to a lack of flexible working, a male culture, long hours and ineffective management. Discrimination can be understated, with employers subtly making women feel that they have limited opportunities in business technology.
Maybe you are a woman who has faced such discrimination? Or maybe you are an IT manager who has faced the kind of recruitment decision to which my friend was referring. Faced with a choice between two equally talented 30-year-old candidates, how did you choose between the man and the woman?
Being a good manager is all about making the right choices. For the sake of the IT industry, the best candidates must be given the best opportunities.
reader comments