Report calls for barriers to top roles for women to be removed

AREPORT calling for the removal of significant barriers to women achieving leadership roles has been published by employer body the CBI and the University of South Wales.

- SION BARRY Business editor [e-mail]

Entitled From Aspiration to Action: Women’s Leadership Pathways in Wales, it says cultural signals displayed in the workplace and leadership environment, as well as structural obstacles, such as being given greater responsibility without enough support, are the main barriers to leadership.

Another factor identified is personal preferences and values, including prioritising work-life balance over career progression.

Launched yesterday at the CBI Wales Women in Leadership Network's AGM at Principality House in Cardiff, the report highlights:

lH Workplace culture continues to reward a set of narrow personality traits. Of those surveyed, 86% believe leadership still favours certain personas or groups of people;

I Wellbeing pressures are holding careers back;

IE 83% of respondents worry about burnout and 87% say they are less attracted to leadership because of the impact career progression can have on their work-life balance;

1 82% of survey responses confirmed that caring responsibilities make it harder to progress into leadership, while 72% believe part-time or flexible workers are excluded from such opportunities; and

lM Only 10% of the survey participants say they can access mentoring schemes.

Mentoring is widely recognised by human resources professionals as the strongest lever for building confidence, capability and career progression.

The report calls for the tackling of cultural norms that limit confidence, widening access to flexible development and expanding the use of mentoring to meet the needs of women at different stages in their careers.