Minerva BC commissioned Mustel Group to conduct an online survey with a random sample of 800 BC adults; 600 women and 200 men, 18 years and over. Data was collected from those who have been in the workforce in the past ten years. Minor weighting was applied to the data to match the sample to Statistics Canada census data in terms of gender, age, and region.
Key Findings:
Most women and men in BC believe there is gender equality in the workplace. Yet, the numbers tell a different story. In almost all categories, women say they have fewer opportunities and experience more barriers than men.
- ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES IS UNEQUAL
Women are less likely than men to have access to opportunities which can help to advance their careers. For women in leadership positions, 57% have participated in leadership training versus 68% of men and only 46% feel included by peers in leadership circles. While 70% of men report having equal opportunity to their peers to lead assignments, just over half of women reported the same. - SOME BARRIERS ARE MORE PRONOUNCED BY AGE AND CAREER STAGE
While many of the issues women face are present throughout their careers, some are felt more acutely at a particular age and stage. One third of women under the age of 35 have had their competency questioned because of their gender, and 32% of women with children at home report downplaying parental responsibilities to progress in their careers. - GENDER BARRIERS PERSIST
Age discrimination is experienced by 23% of women, regardless of their age, compared to only 12% of men. Just under half (45%) of women who are selfemployed cite workplace barriers as having influenced their decision to work independently, and almost half (46%) of women employed in workplaces with a majority of men workers have had their competence questioned due to gender. - SUPPORTIVE WORKPLACES HELP WOMEN ADVANCE
In workplaces where gender equity is a focus, 70% of women report that men are actively engaged in closing the gender gap. And while most women do not have a workplace sponsor, of those who do, the vast majority (91%) cite it as helping them progress in their career. - LACK OF ENGAGEMENT ON GENDER EQUITY AWARENESS
Despite facing more barriers and fewer opportunities, only 29% of women say their workplaces are engaging in awareness building on gender equity. The majority are not implementing policies that promote gender equity or gathering and sharing data on gender representation.
About this survey:
- Online panel survey with a random sample of 800 BC adults, 18 years of age and older;
- Both men and women were interviewed, as well as those currently not working but who have in the past 10 years (to explore reasons left the work force);
- Gender split: 600 women, 200 men;
- Margin of error on a random sample of 600 is +/-4.0% at the 95% level of confidence (+/-6.9% on a random sample of 200);
- Minor weighting was applied to the data to match the sample to Statistics Canada census data in terms of gender, age and region;
- Survey dates: General Population: February 7th to March 1st, 2023