By Andy McCue, 9 September 2005 16:35
NEWS Long hours and a macho culture are driving women out of the IT profession, according to research from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and IT trade body Intellect.
The Women in IT industry research was commissioned on the back of figures from the Office of National Statistics showing a six per cent decline in the number of women employed in the IT industry between 1997 and 2005.
More than half of the 42 women surveyed had already left the IT industry and another 13 said they were thinking of leaving. The women were mainly over 45-years-old and in senior roles ranging from software developers, programmers and analysts to IT consultants, managers and directors.
The women all said the work-life balance, 'old-boys' male-dominated environment and industry culture are the core reasons why the IT sector is unattractive to women. The research found few opportunities for part-time work in IT and many of the women said they had to work harder than male colleagues to achieve success and break through the glass ceiling.
The report concluded that the first priority to make the sector more attractive for women is to retain those working in it now to act as role models and mentors.
John Higgins, director general at Intellect, said in a statement: "The UK IT industry is world leading but it won't stay that way for long if we continue to haemorrhage valuable, skilled women professionals from the sector. We must take action to ensure that we are doing all that we can to recruit, motivate and retain women within our industry."
Comments
There are 4 comments. Join the discussion
1. Just Mo
From Nerd Culture to Macho Culture - thats kind of odd don't you think?
2. anonymous
Firsty, and I know that this will ruffle some feathers but we do live in a country of supposed free speach so here goes - I've worked in IT for quite some time in various roles in the UK, USA and Europe and have to say that most of the female colleagues I've worked with aren't very good at IT work, unless they are geeks. The rest seem to be just in this industry for a good salary.
Now onto the main report. This is typical government speak BS that you get from them. As for why's Britain's IT industry is going down the drain think outsourcing, globalisation and management now treating IT professionals with the same degree of respect tht shop workers and call centre operatives get.
This comment is sheer crap "The UK IT industry is world leading (THIS BIT IS TRUE) but it won't stay that way for long if we continue to haemorrhage valuable, skilled MEN professionals from the sector.(OUTSOURCING, CUTBACKS, AND SALARIES THAT HAVEN'T GONE UP IN 10 YEARS) We must take action to ensure that we are doing all that we can to recruit, motivate and retain women within our industry(THE OPPOSITE OF THIS IS HAPPENING AND THAT'S WHY PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE INDUSTRY EITHER BY CHOICE OR JOB LOSS)"
Any comments welcome.
3. Chris Nixon
CEO? I find that hard to believe, even leaving aside the rampant sexism and apalling spelling, the attitudes expressed (aside from those on outsourcing) struck me as pretty immature for a corporate chief.
In my own experience I have worked with many exceptionally capable women, who in at least two cases were earning an embarassingly small amount compared to myself and many other men around me, whilst being at least if not more technically capable *and* harder-working to boot.
As a man who has many female colleagues in a large corporation, I have met only one who remotely fits your description. This compares with quite a few blokes who coast along with apparent ease - under much lighter workloads, I might add.
I'm glad you invited comments. I find diatribes like this unhelpful, to say the least, and I'm being extremely diplomatic here.
4. anonymous
As a female IT architect I can confirm that macho culture is growing evermore fiercely within IT. I have some delightful colleagues, but when it comes to paying me the same ammount, or grading me as an equal, they quickly up the stakes, protest that the conditions not quite right for comparision or seek to encourage me to another area "where I might be more suited". If I propose something that is well throught through, I am challenged by male colleagues and customers to the nth degree. If instead I ask a male colleague to describe or represent my proposal, concern or advice, he will get unfettered praise.
I have had my professional integrity and advice ridiculed at customer board and my CEO level, as well as recieving inapproriate sex texts from 2 of the male advisors to this customer...only to be treated like a professional leper when my advice later proved correct. I have worked long long hours and have spent almost 5 of the last 7 years away from home, all week, every week. I love the work that I do, my company makes a lot of money out of me and keeps me constantly employed, but for the sake of my heart and longevity, I may need to leave. If so, the industry loses a dedicated, highly qualified worker and our enterprises lose a woman who will make a qualitative difference to their IT and business decisions. All because men want and get a higher professional status and rewards than their female colleague.