IT’S International Women’s Day on Wednesday, when calls will be made to end bias and discrimination.
But while it is promoting its #EmbraceEquity theme, a new report reveals we still have some way to go in the UK.
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The study carried out by OnePoll.com found that 29 per cent of us believe women still do not have equal opportunities in the workplace.
And a third reckon women have to work harder to get the job they want compared to men.
Nearly three-quarters feel some jobs are still seen as gender-specific.
And almost half say they were encouraged to follow stereotypical gender roles while at school.
Meanwhile, latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that women earn on average 8.3 per cent less than men.
Among the jobs with the heaviest gender bias are mining, with 37 per cent of women claiming the role is men-only — and HGV driving which is seen by one if five as men’s work.
Currently, 11 per cent of women work in a job seen as typically for men.
But 83 per cent of women say they would happily apply for a usually male role.
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Fresh figures revealed this week reveal women are overtaking men in some traditional areas, with females aged 20 to 29 now gaining the highest pass rates in practical HGV tests.
Despite just one in 11 candidates being women, 68 per cent of them passed compared to 63 per cent of men in the same age category.
Caroline Green, chief executive at logistics firm Pallet-Track, said: “This research should be a real eye-opener for the industry because it demonstrates the value of diversifying the logistics workforce.
“Logistics plays a major role in all our lives and is the fifth largest employer in the UK.
“But we need to engage with schools more to demonstrate the breadth of careers that the industry can offer.”
- Apply for jobs at Pallet-Track at pallet-track.co.uk/vacancies.
DRIVING CHANGE
YASMIN Jobsz is a Class 1 & 2 HGV driver who posts about her job at @PinkLadyTrucker_uk.
The mum of one swapped a career as a showjumper to drive lorries, after her daughter was born, as she wanted a more flexible role.
Yasmin, 26, from Eye, Suffolk, said: “I can’t deny it was daunting at the start, but I’ve never been made to feel silly for asking questions.
“Women are more than capable of doing this job. I’d love to see more women in this industry.”
FIVE WAYS TO TAKE ON MEN
CAREY Causey aims to change how people see manufacturing and recyling as men’s work.
Carey is President of Ball Beverage Packaging, the leading supplier of eco-friendly drink cans.
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Here are her tips for making it in a male-dominated world . . .
DO WHAT YOU LOVE: It helps you bring your authentic self to work and enable others to do the same.
Find a role where you feel connected to your firm’s mission and you can explain it with the same passion to your team, investors, suppliers and even your children.
BUILD NETWORKS IN THE WORKPLACE: Speak to your peers, share experiences, exchange ideas and look to collaborate.
It’s all about trust, so that you can share and be constructively criticised.
SHOW LEADERSHIP IN EVERY ROLE YOU’RE IN: This does not start just when you take on a management role.
Work with a collaborative mindset where you can solve problems with solutions rather than a forceful personality.
MENTOR AND SUPPORT OTHER WOMEN: Creating opportunities to hear from someone about their challenges, and to offer input at the right time, can create strong connections but also great ideas.
ATTRACT THE NEXT GENERATION TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS FUTURE-PROOF: Huge competition for talent out there is likely to continue to grow.
Create a diverse workforce where women can flourish, and which reflects the society and culture we live in.
ENTREPREN-HERS
MORE and more women are becoming their own boss, with one in five considering setting up in business.
They launched 151,603 firms last year, up from 145,271 in 2021 and more than twice the level in 2018.
Small Business Britain’s f:Entrepreneur #ialso100 campaign lists the top 100 start-up owners.
They include Lisa Baskott, with the UK’s first female-focused private security recruitment firm, 2nd Line of Defence.
Check out f-entrepreneur.com/ialso-100-2023
SKILFUL HIRING HELPS WOMEN
EMPLOYERS using skill tests instead of CVs to hire staff boosts women’s chances by 70 per cent.
Less than a quarter of STEM roles – related to science, tech, engineering and maths – are filled by females, but a study by recruitment expert BeApplied.com found ditching the traditional application process changed this.
Female candidates had the top success rate in product development roles, landing three quarters of the jobs on offer. For statistician positions, they got 59 per cent.
Firms using more skills tests include Pfizer, pharma multi- national MSD and space tech firm Satellite Applications.
BeApplied.com CEO Khyati Sundaram said: “Plenty of ethical, inclusive employers are now making moves towards greater skills-based hiring.”
JOBSPOT
SANCTUARY Care’s Nursing Associates Programme aims to bridge the gap between care and nursing.
Apply at sanctuary-care.co.uk/jobs
Bellway, the housebuilder, has 60 apprenticeship vacancies and is keen to encourage more female applicants. Apply by March 19 at bellwaycareers.co.uk.
This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
