Gender parity is stalling at best and at worst going backwards. In the UK alone, ECC’s research indicates that, across the banking, legal and FTSE 350 sectors, 20,000 women need to be promoted to achieve parity. But given attrition challenges, employees’ new expectations and outdated talent models, more than fishing in one pool of ‘typical’ or ‘traditional talent’ is needed. Organisations must look beyond to other previously untapped pools of talent. Women with the skill, experience and ambition for senior leadership have not disappeared from your business. They are still there, but they are stuck or overlooked by criteria used to identify and promote internal talent. To learn more about why segmenting your workforce of women by alternative talent pools is important and why it is essential to build a plan to engage these women, watch ‘Where have all the senior women gone.’
By reimagining talent as the four different pools ECC has identified through their research, you can take steps to harness their potential. These are The Boundaried Workers, The Overlooked, The Conscious Quitters and The Lost Leaders. Take note, these categories won’t cover every individual, and some individuals will be in more than one. Here we explain The Boundaried Workers.
Boundaried Workers are those with additional commitments – boundaries. Limitations for an individual can arise from illness, religion, or caring responsibilities, among others, meaning men and women can be Boundaried Workers. Whilst men also can become bound by care commitments, after the birth of a child 90% of new fathers return to full-time work, whereas only 20% of women do. Many women become Boundaried Workers at some point in their careers post-motherhood. Or boundaries can arise from caring for elderly relatives, which happens on average a decade earlier for women than it does for men. In this way, women are often ‘bound’ by responsibility, which causes a lack of availability of time, flexibility, and geographical mobility.
The gender wage gap widens significantly and continuously in the 20 years after a family’s first child. The evidence shows how alternative work patterns, like flexible or part-time work, and time away from work, account for about half of this pay gap. Further evidence shows how bounded work patterns shut down occupational progression. So, whilst policies that provide leave or offer part-time or flexible arrangements may have helped women stay in their careers, they have materially impacted women’s pay and advancement.
As detailed in a significant piece of research commissioned by the Government Equalities Office (GEO) the “barriers to women’s progression in the workplace continue to arise from a conflict between current ways of organising work and caring responsibilities” this includes an organisation’s norms of presenteeism and overwork. By contrast, those with a ‘boundless’ work style who have maximum flexibility and thrive in an ‘all-hours working culture’ can progress and go on to perpetuate the culture.
Extensive research shows managers as ill-equipped to support individuals navigating bounded work patterns. Colleagues, including managers, often misinterpret and judge Boundaried Workers as lacking commitment, capability, and motivation. Research supports that the existence of a boundary is unrelated to an individual’s drive and ambition for their career.
If you start by acknowledging there are talented individuals that you have probably missed, you can begin to action plan how to realise this opportunity. This considerable pool of potential talent could help your organisation progress in gender equity if identified and harnessed. Understanding this segment of workers will help you and your leaders broaden their perspectives when they are identifying talent for development, stretch opportunities and progression.
1.If you manage a team, think about your organisation’s culture. Look around at your colleagues. Are there Boundaried Workers? For example, for those that work flexibly, what do you think the impact of this has been on their career? Consider what your role is in creating change for them.
2. DEI, talent and HR people consider how to unlock the potential in this significant talent pool and how to equip your Boundaried Workers and their managers. Read ECC’s explainers on how to:
3. If you are ready to take the next step and embed a plan for positive change for your organisation then download ECC’s free Gender Assessment Planner. This evidence-based assessment tool will help organisations to develop and implement a tailored plan for progress in gender parity.