Four out of Five Women say “Glass Ceiling” Still Exists – Survey

A major survey of Irish female professionals has revealed that four out of five women surveyed believes that the glass ceiling still exists in the workplace.

The survey by leading female business group Network Ireland also found that:

– One in four women didn’t go for a promotion due to family commitments
– More than a third believe that being female has impacted negatively on their career progression
– Half of the respondents said being female has made no difference to their career progression
– Two-thirds of females said they have no issue speaking up at meetings – a third do
– More than a third of females has never asked for a pay increase, while a third said they ask for one when they feel they deserve one
– More than half of those surveyed who are working mothers said that they either got no support or less support from an employer than they would have liked when they returned to work after maternity leave
– A third of women said they manage the running of the household, while a third also said they share it with their partner
– Just 5% of respondents have applied to join a Board, while one in four said they would like to join a Board but don’t know where to start
– Women who own their own business cited ‘family commitments’ as the second highest reason after costs for not expanding their business.

President of Network Ireland, Helen Wycherley said: “This is the first time at Network Ireland that we have conducted a survey like this among our members. The results are very interesting and show that although there are many women who feel being female has not held them back in the workplace, unfortunately, there are others for whom it has been an issue. The survey found that a third of respondents believe women need to step up more and they said mainly that women need more mentoring and confidence in order to do this.

“The theme for my Presidency this year is “Step Up”. I want to help women all around Ireland to fulfil their potential by empowering them to ‘step up and do more’. I want to help and support our members, to do more and be more. So this year will be all about empowering women to step up to the challenge, to be ready to seize opportunities as they arise, to be confident and go for that promotion, apply for that grant application, go on Boards or take more risks and to say “I can” not “I might” or “maybe”. The results of the survey show that many women are achieving more which is an advantage of being a member of Network Ireland as our mission is to lead the way for ambitious and enterprising women and support their personal and professional development.”

Network Ireland will host a major event at Thomond Park, the home of Munster Rugby, on Friday 8th March to celebrate International Women’s Day. The event will celebrate women in business and will also focus on the importance of building resilience. Hundreds of women from around Ireland are expected to attend the conference, from budding entrepreneurs, SME owners, professionals and leaders in indigenous and multinational organisations to non-profits, charities, arts and the public sector.

The Oscar-nominated Irish firm, Cartoon Saloon will be at the event. Other speakers include former Ireland rugby international, Fiona Steed and performance coach, Gerry Hussey. Also speaking at the event is Noelle O’Connor, founder of TanOrganic and Michelle McGreal, Cultural Transformation Lead and Head of Diversity & Inclusion at AIB. The event MC is journalist Deirdre O’Shaughnessy. The theme for this year’s conference is #BuildingResilience.

Network Ireland is partnering with Local Enterprise Office, Limerick for the International Women’s Day event. AIB is the official partners of Network Ireland nationally.

Tickets for the event are now available at https://networkirelandiwd2019.eventbrite.ie