No Increment For 85% Indian Women Due To Their Gender; 37% Women Paid Less Than Men

According to the LinkedIn Opportunity Index 2021 report, because of their gender as many as 85% working women in India have missed out on a raise or promotion. Where the regional average stands at 60%, with 85% Indian women face the strongest gender biases across the Asia Pacific countries.

As compared to APAC region with an average of 16%, 22% of Indian women exhibited “favourable bias” towards men at work. LinkedIn Opportunities Index covered 2,285 respondents. This index covered how women, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, perceive opportunities at work.

Pandemic has disproportionately impacted women and so has the pressure of juggling home and work. 89% of women stated believe to be negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Director, Talent and Learning Solutions, India at LinkedIn, Ruchee Anand said that it is need of the hour for organisations to reimagine their diversity practices and offer greater flexibility to caregivers as gender inequality as well as  added domestic responsibilities have made women’s job vulnerable. She added that opportunities to upskill and learn are critical offerings, reduced and flexible schedules, more sabbaticals can help organizations attract, hire, and retain more female talent.

37% Women Paid Less, Have Few Opportunities

Not only this, but there is gap in perception among men and women as far as equal pay and work opportunities are concerned. 37% Indian women say they get fewer opportunities than men and get paid less than men, however only 25% men agree with opportunities and 21% with pay gap.

Both, men and women, according to the study have their top goals being job security and aspire similar opportunities. However as compared to 54% men, 63% women think that in order to get ahead in life, person’s gender is important.

Familial responsibilities, according to working women, comes into their way of career development. On top of that, due to familial and household responsibilities, as many as 63% women say that they have faced discrimination at work.

Lack of required professional skills and a lack of guidance is also comes into the way of women and careers.

What Indian Working Women Want

Alongwith job security, women are focusing more on work environment and treat them equal (50%), work recognition(56%) and what skills will be utilized on their jobs.

Reduced or part time schedules and robust maternity leaves and policies in order to make the post-pandemic transition smoother is what women are looking from their employers.

Telecommuting and flexibility programmes were the top demands by working women in India.

In order to advance in careers, 50 % women are also looking for more professional connections and mentors.