Addressing Ongoing Workplace Challenges for Women at Deloitte

We invited Emma Cod, Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Deloitte to our Diversity and Inclusion in Business Conference 2024, where she shared crucial data regarding women’s experiences in the workplace. This data is derived from the Deloitte Women at Work Report, which surveys 5,000 women across ten countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, South Africa, the UK, and the US. The findings reveal several persistent issues affecting women in the workplace, including concerns about rights, personal safety, mental health, and health-related challenges. The full presentation is available to watch above, with a summary given below.

Women’s Rights and Personal Safety

One significant concern highlighted is the perceived decline in women’s rights. Last year, concern about women’s rights was the top non-workplace issue, and this year, it remains highly significant. Around a third of women feel that the right to equal pay has worsened in their country, with 15% personally affected. Additionally, three in ten believe the right to live free of violence has declined, with 13% feeling personally impacted.

Personal safety is another critical area of concern. Nearly half of the women surveyed reported worries about their safety at work, while travelling for work, or commuting. Disturbingly, one in ten experienced harassment while travelling, and 16% were harassed or made uncomfortable by customers or clients.

Mental Health on the rise

The data on mental health remains worrying. The worst data was observed in 2022, with a slight improvement since then. However, burnout continues to be a significant issue, with a quarter of women still reporting feeling burnt out. More women now feel comfortable discussing their mental health, but two-thirds still do not due to fears of career damage, discrimination, or retaliation. Half of the women feel more stressed than a year ago, and over half do not receive adequate support for mental health at work. Nearly half list mental health as their top concern.

Health-Related Challenges

Health-related issues, particularly menstrual disorders, menopause, and fertility challenges, are significant concerns for many women. More women are reporting pain or symptoms related to these issues, and many are working through them without taking time off. The percentage of women not taking time off for menopause-related pain has doubled since last year. Additionally, fewer women report receiving the support they need after disclosing these issues, with more experiencing negative career impacts.

Work-Life Balance and Career Progression

The report also highlights ongoing issues with work-life balance and career progression. Many women feel the need to prioritise their partner’s career over their own, often due to societal expectations or their partner’s higher earnings. This trend is concerning as it perpetuates a cycle where women’s earnings and career progression remain stagnant.

Recommendations

To address these challenges, the report emphasises the need for meaningful actions and policies that support women’s health, safety, and career progression. This includes better support for mental health, addressing non-inclusive behaviours, and ensuring flexible working arrangements that do not negatively impact career progression. Companies should also consider the impact of return-to-office policies on women and other underrepresented groups to avoid unintended negative consequences.

Building Supportive Environments for Female Employees

The Deloitte Women at Work Report provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing challenges women face in the workplace. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from organisations to implement policies that support women’s rights, safety, health, and career advancement. By focusing on these areas, companies can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment for all employees.

This was presented at our Diversity and Inclusion in Business Conference 2024. For more information please see our latest EDI in Business Event below where we aim to create inclusive workplaces and contribute to a fairer society.

Inclusion, Diversity and Equality in the Workplace Conference 2024

Why Attend?

• Gain Valuable Insights into the latest trends, best practices, and strategies for promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace
• Learn from expert speakers and industry leaders who will share their experiences and expertise in implementing successful EDI initiatives
• Explore innovative approaches to creating inclusive work environments that foster belonging and respect for all employees
• Acquire practical tools and resources to develop and implement robust EDI policies and practices within your organisatio
• Network with like-minded professionals and exchange ideas, experiences, and best-practices for advancing EDI in various industries and sectors