New research has revealed that the gender gap is unfortunately still prominent in the tech industry, as one in five men believe women are less suitable for tech roles.
The eight-month investigation by Virgin Media O2 and gender equality charity Fawcett Society has exposed a “widespread toxic ‘tech bro’ culture, with almost three-quarters (72%) of women experiencing some form of sexism in their roles.
The report also details the additional levels of exclusion black and minority women face, with almost three-quarters experiencing racism in the workplace, on top of discrimination based on their gender.
More needs to be done to make technology an equality-first industry
The challenges come from all angles, starting with the recruitment process. Fawcett Society says employers should advertise a salary, share information about flexible working options and parental leave, and use diverse interview panels to increase fairness. The charity is also calling on governments to ban questions about salaries from previous jobs, among other things.
Other suggestions regarding retention include having a clear reporting mechanism for complaints and exit interviews, and promoting a variety of events and opportunities to ensure that all employees can participate equally.
Currently, more than two in five are considering leaving their roles at least weekly, with around a third expressing concerns about a lack of flexible and part-time work respectively.
Fawcett Society CEO Jemima Olchawski said: “It is unacceptable that so many women are excluded from technology, as harmful and downright wrong sexist ideas thrive in an overwhelmingly male workforce.”
Olchawski added: “It makes no sense that in the midst of a skills shortage, so many skilled and talented women are being excluded from the sector or choosing to leave. All this means that tech companies are missing out on a wealth of talent and both women and our economy are being held back.”