Provision of childcare subsidies or reimbursements and onsite childcare remain woefully low in Greater/mainland China at 4% and 2% respectively. Less than 30% of companies offer flexible scheduling to allow staff to work from home. This, according to the latest eFinancialCareers Gender Diversity Survey, conducted with 1,355 finance professionals from Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Australia. The survey was carried out in partnership with The Women’s Foundation in Hong Kong, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of women in Hong Kong.
The study also revealed that of the professionals surveyed, 53% believe that there is a gender income gap in the financial services industry. The male-female income disparity is, according to 51% of respondents, more prevalent in high-powered positions, whilst only 21% think that entry level positions are affected. Almost 60% think that there is heavy male representation in management positions as they are more likely to put themselves forward for promotion opportunities and 42% think that being male improves your chance of success. A similar percentage also reports that they or others in their workplace have experienced discrimination.
George McFerran, Head of Asia Pacific, eFinancialCareers commented, “Financial institutions should promote gender diversity programmes to take this issue. Over four in ten finance professionals surveyed confirm their firm does not have an explicit gender diversity programme. Moreover, 34% feel that the gender bias begins right from the recruitment process.”
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
