Women face gender bias and unequal opportunities for career growth, say IIM alumni and students

Women face gender bias and unequal opportunities for career growth, say IIM alumni and students

• By Staff Writer

Women face gender bias and unequal opportunities for career growth, say IIM alumni and students

Women students and alumni of the elite Indian Institutes of Management said they lack a level playing field at the workplace.

About 35% of the respondents in a pan-IIM survey said they do not have equal opportunities for career growth as the men in their organisations. While this number has decreased from 49% in the previous survey, there is still scope for improvement.

The survey on ‘Women in the Workplace,’ based on women alumni and students from the 20 IIMs and shared exclusively with ET, is an initiative of IIM Kozhikode and led by Uma Kasoji, IIM-K alumnus and board member.

“The most commonly encountered biases are ‘Prove it again’ and ‘The Tightrope’,” said Kasoji,

Among those surveyed, 26% faced the ‘Prove it Again’ bias, where women are held to a higher standard than men and must continually prove themselves. Women are promoted on performance, while men are promoted on potential.

About 23% of the respondents encountered ‘The Tightrope’ bias, where professional women are seen as too weak or too assertive and must try to balance between the two.

The dearth of women in leadership was evident, with 61% saying that female representation in their company’ top leadership tier was unimportant and that they need more role models. The lack of female role models was among their top three challenges, along with lack of mentorship and lack of strong professional networks and allies.

The survey received over 350 responses, with the majority of the participants working at mid- to senior-management levels across industries. While most of the responses came from India, there were responses in 15 other countries.

About 35% of the respondents in a pan-IIM survey said they do not have equal opportunities for career growth as the men in their company. While this number has decreased from 49% in the previous survey, there is still scope for improvement.

The survey on ‘Women in the Workplace,’ based on women alumni and students from the 20 IIMs and shared exclusively with ET, is an initiative of IIM Kozhikode and led by Uma Kasoji, IIM-K alumnus and board member.

Gender stereotyping and bias emerged as the key factors hindering the progress of women professionals, with 58% of the respondents saying they faced bias at the workplace.

Among those surveyed, 26% faced the ‘Prove it Again’ bias, where women are held to a higher standard than men and must continually prove themselves. Women are promoted on performance, while men are promoted on potential.

About 23% of the respondents encountered ‘The Tightrope’ bias, where professional women are seen as too weak or too assertive and must try to balance between the two.

The dearth of women in leadership was evident, with 61% saying that female representation in their company’ top leadership tier was insignificant and that they need more role models. The lack of female role models was among their top three challenges, along with lack of mentorship and lack of strong professional networks and allies.

company need to put in extra effort for diversity and gender inclusion, she added.

“Bridging the gender gap in leadership requires a conscious investment in terms of time, effort and funding. company need to invest in growth of women professionals through structured programmes. Only then can they effectively address the gender gap,” said Kasoji.

Google, Amazon and McKinsey held the fort as dream companies from last year, with Tesla and Unilever the new entrants. Indra Nooyi and Shaw emerged as the most admired women leaders.

The survey received over 350 responses, with the majority of the participants working at mid- to senior-management levels across industries. While most of the responses came from India, there were responses in 15 other countries.

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