Women in IT must work together to swell their ranks

Maggie Berry

“In Sweden a guy can take up to one and a half years of paternity leave ­ there’s no discussion about who’s at home with the kids, you both are.”

That was just one such comment made at W-Tech, a recent career development event for female technologists. Not only are the UK’s parental leave arrangements the most unequal in Europe, we work the longest hours, too. And unlike Norway, where the law states 40 per cent of non-executive directors must be female, we have no gender-based quotas for the workplace. Given also that only 19 per cent of the UK IT workforce is female, it is clear that UK plc is not as supportive of women as it could be.

Networking and mentoring were key themes discussed by a panel of successful female technologists at W-Tech. Building and developing relationships with people who can influence and help your career is key. If you have children and need to work flexibly, find an employer that is supportive of your situation. If you have a career path in mind, choose an organisation in which this growth is possible. But most importantly, choose a job that makes you happy.

“Business is fun, so enjoy what you do. And when it stops being fun, stop doing it ­ go and do something else,” said Karen Winney, panellist at W-Tech and director, business services at Procter & Gamble.

But success will not come without another key factor: confidence. It is something that, generally, women lack in the workplace. But it can mean the difference between promotion and hitting the glass ceiling. “Men generally spend ­ without knowing they’re doing it ­ up to 10 per cent of their time selling themselves,” said Rebecca George, panellist and chairwoman of the BCS Women’s Strategic Panel.
And don’t forget female solidarity. Many women say they have come across very unsupportive female colleagues or bosses. If we don’t help each other, what chance do we have?

Until politics, business and society come together and help break the glass ceiling, you are the one who dictates your success.

Maggie Berry is director of womenintechnology.co.uk, the online career and networking site for women in IT