Women in IT – All or Nothing? 20% of IT staff are female 5% of women consider a career in IT 5% of...
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Transcript of Women in IT – All or Nothing? 20% of IT staff are female 5% of women consider a career in IT 5% of...
Women in IT – All or Nothing?
• 20% of IT staff are female
• 5% of women consider a career in IT
• 5% of senior IT staff are female
• Image problem – macho, 24 x 7 culture
• 50% female staff
• 30% middle management
• 15% Board level
What has happened to them all along the
way?
Women in IT Recruitment
Two sides to moving on
• Culture fit
• Revenue - hugely positive factor
FAIR?
• As a business, no discrimination
• Bill a lot of money
• Live to work
Choices
• Women chose to OPT out of this lifestyle• Did not want to take the all encompassing
challenges to reach the top• I chose to OPT in and was positively
encouraged• Gender was not a factor, results were• Director after six years• Hugely fulfilling job• Fantastic lifestyle
What if things were different?
• Part time - not as a Sales Director
• Fixed hours - not as a Sales Director
Possible? Yes.
• With a fleet of staff
• Full support at home
How have things changed?
• Changes very encouraging• Biggest factor in bidding for business is
diversity policy• Not just lip service, not just ticking boxes• Firms recognising value of female Executive
Director• At present 15 women Executive Directors,
BUT Marks & Spencer and J. Sainsbury employ 1/5.
Why?
• Women guide rather than demand
• Patience
• Intuition
• Goal driven
• Focused
Best news of all
• Competency-based interviewing
• Based on evidence, not ‘feeling’
• Used for recruitment AND promotion
What about Computer People?
• Group now has 1500 Staff supplying people to organisations across the UK and the world
• It is critical that our employees, clients and candidates fully understand the benefits of a diverse work force
• Company has benchmarked ethnicity and diversity of those people we attract, interview and retain
• Competency interviewing ensures no personal prejudice• Family friendly initiatives - e.g. early morning sales meetings• We intend to ensure management of diversity will combat
prejudices, stereo typing, harassment and undignified behaviour• We recognise the need to balance personal and working lives
Conclusion
• Whole IT market is more aware of female talent and the value that brings
• Increase in female representation not through legislation, more through simple steps– Look at skills when hiring, not gender– Ensure women are included in selection panels– Research your company - why don’t more women
want to go for IT– Try hiring more women!