Last year, the female employment rate reached the highest value of the entire historical series (45.93%), according to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). This value reveals an improvement in the position of women in the labor market, although there is still a long way to go. And it is that imbalances still persist, such as the salary disparity and access to management positions or the scarce presence in some sectors that affect the female group more, not forgetting that it registers higher numbers of temporary jobs.
In this context, the data collected by InfoJobs confirm the reality of women in the world of work. Within the framework of Women’s Day celebrated on March 8, the leading recruitment platform in Spain presented the results of its latest survey on gender equality. The main conclusion drawn from the analysis is that the positive evaluation of the gender equality measures implemented by the company is maintained compared to the previous year (almost 6 out of 10 employees consider them adequate, compared to 57% in the previous year). year), as well as the growing demand from women. Specifically, one in three women workers considers the gender equality measures implemented in their company to be inadequate; And 1 in 5 confirm that none are being implemented.
Younger generations of workers are more satisfied
By age groups, a relationship was observed between the age of workers and the degree of satisfaction with the equality measures implemented in their company. Thus, among the older groups, a greater deficiency or inadequacy of the measures is perceived. Only 49% of workers aged 55 to 65 say that’s enough. On the contrary, in the case of workers aged 16 to 24, it is 61%; And 64% are in the next age group (25-34 years old).
Work-life balance programs are losing steam, but are still the most sought-after
According to data from the Ministry of Integration, Social Security and Migration, in the first half of 2022, 86% of requests for time off work for assistance were requested by women. It is therefore not surprising that work-life balance programs (42%) are the most sought after by the active population in Spain, although slightly less than a year earlier (44%). This is followed, in second and third place, by measures that guarantee equal pay for the same position (with the aim of eliminating the wage gap) and professional promotion schemes that ensure equal opportunities, with 33% and 28% mentioned, respectively. Women (26%) demand more training and gender equality opportunities for the entire workforce, compared to 20% of men.
On the other hand, it is significant that young people aged 16 to 24 demand actions related to protection against moral harassment at work with a higher percentage (33% of references against 24% on average).
Artificial intelligence as a possible way to reduce gender inequality
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can mean a revolution for companies, providing innovative solutions capable of changing the way they work and manage resources. Precisely for this reason, the InfoJobs survey asked about the impact of this new technology on discrimination and equality, and one in three workers indicated that it would be positive. Only 9% think it will increase inequality and discrimination. However, it is true that there is a high degree of ignorance declared about this (27% of workers are not clear about this).
Younger people are the least indifferent to the impact of AI and 4 in 10 (41%) believe it will help reduce discrimination and inequality. On the other hand, the elderly are the ones who most believe that there will be no effect in this sense (38%).
Methodological note for the report:
Data for the working population were extracted through a panel self-administered online survey (CAWI) with a structured questionnaire lasting approximately 15 minutes. The sample consisted of 1,023 participants forming a proportional and representative distribution of the national population aged 16 to 65 years and guided by quotas by sex, age, region and occupation. The error rate was 3.1%.
