LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company have released Women in the Workplace 2018, their fourth annual study on the state of women in corporate America. This year, 279 companies employing more than 13 million people participated.
High Commitment, Low Results
The study reveals a disconnect. Companies continue to report they are highly committed to gender diversity; yet women continue to be vastly underrepresented at every level.
Women are doing their part
Women are doing their part. They’ve been earning more bachelor’s degrees than men for decades. They’re asking for promotions and negotiating salaries at the same rates as men. And contrary to conventional wisdom, they are staying in the workforce at the same rate as men.
Companies need to do their bit too
Now companies need to do their part. This starts with treating gender diversity like the business priority it is, from setting targets to holding leaders accountable for results. It requires closing gender gaps in hiring and promotions, particularly at the critical step up to manager where women are particularly disadvantaged – men end up holding 62 percent of manager positions, while women hold just 38 percent. And it means taking bolder steps to create respectful and inclusive workplaces. Everyday discrimination—which women of colour and lesbian women are more likely to face—and sexual harassment have no place in today’s workplace.
The report recommends concrete actions that companies can take right now to make progress on gender diversity.