The RICS is putting pressure on property companies to increase the number of women in the industry.
At a meeting of property and construction groups this week, organised by the RICS as part of its Raise the Ratio campaign, former RICS president Jonathan Harris said working practices and attitudes had to be changed to encourage more women to join the industry.
“With female membership of the RICS at only 10%, it is clear that the property profession is missing out on attracting the brightest and the best,” Harris said, adding: “It is ridiculous for the property industry to be fishing from only half the pool of talent.”
The RICS is polling 6,000 of its female members and as many males in the biggest ever internal audit of attitudes to working conditions in the property and construction sectors.
It is also providing guidance for employees and bosses to address new employment legislation due on 6 April.
The RICS wants to create a formal framework for employees to apply to work under more flexible arrangements.
References: EGi News 14/02/2003
