A “toxic culture” is turning women off from joining the tech sector, according to a report from Talent Works.
Recruitment processing outsourcing provider Talent Works surveyed 300 women in the UK and 400 based on the East Coast of the US who had worked in technology or were still actively working in the sector.
Publishing its findings in its Women in Technology: It’s Time to Make a Change whitepaper, the research found that 44% of UK participating women encountered toxic culture in the last 5 years.
The top three problems that organisations in the technology sector need to address were identified as ‘Promote healthy work cultures’ (59%), ‘The gender pay gap’ (56%), and ‘More women in leadership roles’ (54%).
Furthermore, the research found that the inclusion of gender-neutral language in job advertisements has little effect on women deciding to join the tech sector.
However, 62% of UK and 56% of US participants suggested that some progress has been made in attracting women to tech roles in the recent decade.
Safe working environments and emotionally intelligent leaders were identified as some of the top deciding factors in helping companies to attract female talent.
“It’s clear that cultural change is needed in the technology sector, and the main responsibility for that change lies at the top,” said Jody Robie, Senior Vice President of Talent Works North America.
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““It is not easy, but as we have seen recently in light of Roe V Wade being overturned, companies are stepping up publicly to support women in the workforce.””
— Jody Robie, Senior Vice President of Talent Works North America.
“This whitepaper shares a list of clear recommendations and immediate steps an organisation can take to repair their culture. It’s time to look beyond using gender-neutral language and really move the needle to recruit, support and nurture female tech talent.”
