According to a recent survey by Dice, a brand of DHI Group, Inc., the tech industry is witnessing a growing disparity in the proportion of women exploring new job opportunities as compared to men. Dice, a tech job search platform, has disclosed its new findings in terms of the fact that 38 percent of women vigorously engage in job searches, while the data suggests 30 percent for men.
A major contributor to this concerning state of affairs is how women still feel discriminated against by the industry at large and encounter a work culture that’s hostile. The displeasure with the pay gap between men and women for the same amount of work, in spite of the ongoing discourse that’s directed towards ensuring equality and fairness, is a stark reality we as a society haven’t been able to battle yet. Despite the narrowing pay gap, the disparity still remains evident in terms of remuneration and overall experience. The data from the 2024 Dice Tech Salary Report reveals that women tech professionals earn approximately $15,000 less annually than men.
The findings of the research emphasize the overall dissatisfaction women experience in the case of work and compensation, although the dissatisfaction doesn’t confine itself to work and compensation alone. The survey suggests that 67 percent of the women pursue newer companies every year, as compared to 57 percent of the men.
The survey also highlights how, even in 2024, women still struggle to maintain work-life balance on a larger scale as compared to men. More often than not, the traditional gender role interrupts the professional aspects of their lives. An organizational culture that is mostly wired to accommodate male concerns makes it challenging for them to survive in the sector. As per the survey, it has also been found out that women are less likely to acquire full-time positions as compared to men, the ratio being 80 against 86 percent. Additionally, women are less likely to climb up the professional ladder as compared to men, and they get confined to the same role for years with a minimum increment. The survey further suggests that 22 percent of women have remained in the same role for 5 years, compared to 31 percent of men.
On a brighter side, we see women refusing to quit and surrendering to societal confinements and systemic barriers as they seek out companies that offer them a better work culture as well as work-life balance and stay loyal to the well-being of their female employees. They prioritize flexible work arrangements, maternity leave, wellness programs, etc. when they make a choice in terms of which ones to go for.
Nonetheless, it goes without saying that an inclusive corporate space is still an aspiration and not a reality, although we have been on a pursuit now for generations to battle these systemic barriers and create a safe space where everyone, regardless of their identities, feels welcome.