360 Diversity Voices Concerns Over the Findings of the Sex and Power 2011 Report

    WORCESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND, August 30, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A recent report released by the Equality and Human Rights Commission has revealed that women are a long way off achieving gender equality in senior job roles. 360 diversity is an online tool which is used by organisations in promoting equality and diversity in the workplace. Without an injection of flexibility at work, 360 diversity is concerned that gender equality may never be realised.

Long working hours are commonplace within the private sector, bringing about a somewhat anti-family culture. Difficulties in balancing work and family life has resulted in women putting their careers on hold. The absence of women in the workplace at senior levels has meant that valuable skills are being missed. According to the EHRC report "British women are better educated than ever before. They are attending university in ever increasing numbers and achieve better degree results than men. Intelligent, competent women are flooding the junior ranks of law firms, accountancies and medical practices."

Stuart Bray, Business Development Manager of 360 diversity states "The empowerment of women starts from the day they walk into the workplace, all staff should be treated as future managers, and have access to the same opportunities. Losing 50% of the pool of candidates for senior roles is ludicrous, and can lead to serious skills shortages in the upper levels of management. Employers need to start focusing upon making the work life balance a priority for all staff, to enable parents of either gender to participate fully in both the home and the workplace. 360 diversity is a tool that workplaces can use to start addressing the needs of all staff, gain consultation, and positively promote vacancies, including senior management posts to everyone."

At the current rate, gender equality is set to be reached in 70 years time. There has been some improvement since the last report was released, with more female representatives in high powered job roles. However, some fields have seen a decline, which has slowed down the rate at which equality will be achieved. The public sector has gender equality as a top priority on their agenda. Their family friendly approach and flexible working hours is helping women to continue their careers whilst also spending time raising their family.

However, the cause of this imbalance still needs to be addressed through improved equality and diversity policies. Greater flexibility in working hours will enable both women and men to achieve an acceptable work life balance and companies will benefit from an increased skill pool.

About 360 diversity

360 diversity is an online diversity forum and information resource which is available to private, public and third sector employers throughout the UK. It was developed to support organisations to take a holistic approach to diversity and to effectively implement and manage policies relating to equality and diversity in the workplace. For further information visit the 360 diversity website at www.360diversity.co.uk.

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