Published On: 2020-04-09

• In TimesJobs survey, around 28% of women IT professionals said that their chances of becoming a tech leader are bleak 
• A majority (52%) of women employees said that they are paid 30% less salary as compared to their male colleagues for the same job role
• Getting a job in a technology role is a big roadblock for women professionals while pursuing STEM careers, hence most change domains

April 8, 2020: About 49% Indian women techies plan to switch their career in the coming years because of the gender bias in the tech industry reveals a new TimesJobs study. Around 31% of women professionals said that the Indian IT sector has scanty career opportunities for women, added the TimesJobs survey report. 

The TimesJobs’ ‘Women in STEM careers’ survey was conducted to understand the progression of women technology professionals in different industries. The survey received responses from 897 women techies and 1,200 hiring managers.

Here, about 28% of women employees said that they aren’t likely to become a technology leader (i.e CTO/CIO) because of the prevailing gender bias. Also, 21% of respondents said that women professionals get less recognition for their work in the tech industry.

The survey asked the women professionals about the percentage of women executives leading the technology verticals in their company. More than 42% of respondents stated that the number of women leaders heading tech verticals is only 5-10%. 

Companies prefer hiring male professionals as tech lead:

About 51% of hiring managers said that there is no gender bias when it comes to hiring women leaders for STEM leadership roles. Rest 49% surveyed managers said that this prejudice does exist! 

TimesJobs survey asked the hiring managers about why companies are sceptical about hiring women techies at senior roles. 

About 52% of hiring managers stated that women technologists were perceived to be inefficient at handling work pressure as compared to men. 

As many as 32% of hiring managers said that technical acumen of men was considered higher than women, hence the discrimination. 

Whereas, 15% of hiring managers stated that their organisations consider men as better technology leaders. 

Women paid up to 30% less salary than male professionals:

A majority (52%) of women techies said that they are paid less salary as compared to their male colleagues for the same job role. As per 57% of respondents the salary variation ranges between 15-30% for the same role. As many as 43% of respondents said that the pay difference was up to 10-15%. 

Getting a tech job, a major struggle for women in STEM careers:

TimesJobs survey outlined the major challenges of women tech professionals. Getting a job in the core technical domain was voted as the biggest roadblock for women professionals while pursuing a STEM career. Fewer growth opportunities were ranked as the second most predominant challenge, followed by no consideration for promotion and fewer growth opportunities as compared to male counterparts.

“The TimesJobs survey findings pinpoint at the career roadblocks faced by the women technologists. Entrenched gender stereotypes and pay disparity are major hindrances for women to pursue STEM careers. It is important for organisations and hiring managers to understand these aspects that shape a woman’s decisions to pursue her STEM career. We need to build and design an ecosystem that inspires, encourages and strengthens their position in the industry,” said Sanjay Goyal, Business Head, TimesJobs and TechGig.

About TimesJobs: 

TimesJobs is a platform to help competent professionals enhance their career growth. With over 25 million registered jobseekers across the board and more than 60 million page views every month, it is the most preferred career portal among ambitious and talented professionals who want to make smarter career decisions that accelerate their career.