The Aon 2024 Voice of Women study has shed light on the challenges faced by working mothers in India’s corporate sector. According to the study, 75 per cent of mothers reported experiencing a career setback of one to two years after returning from maternity leave. Additionally, nearly 40 per cent of these women mentioned that taking maternity leave had a negative impact on their pay, while many found themselves in roles they did not prefer.
The study also uncovered a broader issue of bias and discrimination in the workplace. Almost half of the women surveyed revealed that they had experienced bias or potential bias at work, with 37 per cent reporting instances of insensitive behavior. Furthermore, 6 per cent of respondents disclosed that they had faced sexual harassment, but less than half of these cases were officially reported.
A significant finding from the study is the disparity in experiences of bias based on career progression. Women in senior management and leadership roles are twice as likely to face discrimination compared to those in entry-level positions. This growing bias as women climb the corporate ladder significantly impacts their perception of fairness within their organizations.
On a positive note, the study highlighted the benefits of female leadership in organizations. Over half of the women surveyed who had visible female leaders reported increased confidence in their career growth, and a positive impact on workplace culture. The presence of female leaders was also found to reduce the perception of unfairness in critical people processes such as performance reviews, promotions, and compensation.
Shilpa Khanna, associate partner and DEI practice leader of Talent Solutions in India for Aon, emphasized the importance of addressing gender issues in the workplace to ensure greater representation of women in the workforce. She urged businesses to deepen their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) efforts by actively listening to women and using data-driven insights to support women employees at various life stages.
Nitin Sethi, CEO of Talent Solutions in India for Aon, stressed the critical need for businesses to address bias and discrimination at work. He highlighted that bias is hindering businesses’ efforts to engage and retain skilled women in the workforce. Sethi called on top leaders to promote inclusive policies and practices, particularly around equitable pay, career progression, and maternity support, to foster an inclusive culture.
The Aon 2024 Voice of Women study is one of the largest pan-India surveys of working women, aimed at understanding the factors influencing their success in the workplace. The findings contribute to Aon’s Women’s Workplace Experience (WWE) Index, which assesses women’s experiences in the workplace and correlates positive experiences with greater representation of women in companies.