Damning report reveals extent of exec-level gender bias

A survey of 101 senior businesswomen – including 20 in real estate – has found that all of them have experienced some form of gender bias in the workplace. Among the real estate respondents, unequal pay, micro aggressions and gender role assumptions were identified as the most common issues (experienced by 50%, 40%, and 35% of the women respectively). The research forms part of a report published this week by law firm Cripps, called Beating bias: Fuelling female leadership. It urges decision-makers in business and government to make real changes to process and culture to help achieve gender parity in the workplace and empower female business leaders. The recommendations are informed by a survey by Censuswide of 101 female c-suite executives including CEOs, COOs, CFOs and business owners and founders. All of the real estate respondents identified professional barriers to progression to leadership, such as organisational or governmental policy (against 90% across all sectors surveyed). Some 60% identified personal barriers, such as self-confidence issues or family ambitions, in line with the wider survey. Lack of access to affordable childcare was highlighted as one of the biggest barriers preventing women from progressing to leadership positions (selected by 40% of real estate respondents). Some 30% of real estate respondents believe female business owners face higher barriers when seeking investment compared to males or believe gender bias exists among investors, compared to 25% in the wider survey. Cripps said this was a key issue when it comes to scaling businesses. It recommends the following policy interventions and organisational changes. Policy interventions: Strengthen compliance with anti-discrimination laws Board and middle-management quotas Access to mentorship, education and training Enhanced access to childcare provisions, including pay for both parents A dedicated government venture capital vehicle for female-led ventures Organisational changes: Easier access to funding options Flexible work environments Increased female representation in finance, and front-office investment staff Mentorship and networking opportunities Diverse hiring and promotion practices Mandate gender bias training Support childcare access Recognise and celebrate female success Victoria Symons, partner at Cripps, which became a B Corp in January, said: “In today’s business landscape, achieving gender parity remains a pressing issue. Female leaders and entrepreneurs face unique challenges, from funding disparities to male-dominated networks and juggling the competing demands of work and life. By addressing these challenges, we can create a more equitable environment that allows businesses to thrive, benefitting everyone regardless of gender. We hope this report takes a crucial step towards understanding these issues and implementing meaningful solutions.”