India’s employers actively promote gender parity in offices, most diverse IT sector: survey

A recent study found that a significant portion of employers in India are taking active steps to increase gender diversity and parity in the workplace. These employers are adopting progressive policies, promoting employee upskilling and flexibility, and have changed their hiring strategies to make it compulsory to employ women at all levels in several sectors.

ManpowerGroup India’s latest Employment Outlook Survey revealed that 54 percent of employers in the country expressed optimism that their companies’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives are successful in encouraging women’s participation in the workforce at several levels . The study showed that women’s involvement in workplaces in the country was above the global average, reports PTI.

The survey covered 3,150 Indian employers and found that internal leadership development initiatives continue to be most effective at retaining and securing a diverse workforce.

Information technology (IT) was the dominant sector in increasing office diversity, followed by healthcare, life sciences, finance and real estate. On the other hand, the consumer goods and services sector lagged behind and showed a serious need for improvement.

Commenting on the survey results, Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director, India and Middle East, ManpowerGroup, said: “Gender diversity in India is among the highest in the world and it is encouraging to see the rapid increase in women’s participation in the labor market. “Organizations have changed their hiring strategies, mandating that women be hired at all levels in a variety of sectors.”

When it comes to roles, the study found that senior management positions continue to lag behind in terms of women applicants, indicating the greatest opportunity for employers to make a noticeable impact in the workforce.

When it comes to factors contributing to gender equality, the survey found that a majority of 80 percent of employers believe that technology increases flexibility, in turn promoting gender parity. Technological advances follow closely behind, with 77 percent of respondents saying technological advances have helped support the cause.

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