“Professional Services set the tone for other sectors. Extensive work has been done to improve gender diversity at leadership and close the gender pay gap, including over-recruiting aT graduate level. However, the gender pay gap remains at over 14%.”

It is abundantly clear that one of the main drivers is having family. In the case of how we balance family and home, the Professional Services sector is leading the way. But more change is needed to close the gap.

Delve into our whitepaper detailing how to retain more women in professional services

RACHEL VECHT, EDUCATING MATERS

"This report provides some very deep insight, drawing on real-life stories and conversations.  It provides context to the typical barriers faced by working parents and really practical solutions.  This whitepaper should prove to be an invaluable resource for anyone working in the professional services SPACE who truly wants to build a business case and improve the experience of working parents."

what’s happening?

“The UK economy is experiencing slow growth, and businesses' reactions to driving up productivity are threatening the developments made towards improving diversity, inclusion, wellness, and mental health.”

The Professional Services industry leads by example and demonstrates the progress that can be made towards closing gender pay gaps and improving gender equity in leadership.

As the gender pay gap begins to emerge at the age most women will have children, the link is clear. The gender pay gap begins with starting a family, before that for many organisations that do not have strong policies and role models. There is a silent exodus of women in the years shortly after having children and those that do stay rarely progress to partnership level because of the time demands.”

A combination of systemic issues, traditional working attitudes and unsuitable working practices continue to exacerbate that exodus.

Download our latest whitepaper with contributions from some of the biggest names in the industry to find out how the sector needs to respond

THE FINDINGS

  • 37% of mothers in professional services are working full time but almost all of them (bar 8%) would prefer to be working 3 or 4 days

  • 62% ranked the ability to work from home as highest on the list of needs from working mums

  • 57% want to work in a hybrid way while 30% would choose to work from home all the time