New Research Identifies the Impact of Gender and Family in the Global Language Services Industry

Results of survey by independent market research firm Common Sense Advisory reveal industry is above average with respect to gender equality, but also points out the structural obstacles that women may face in their careers

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Common Sense Advisory (CSA Research)

Jun 22, 2017, 08:45 ET

BOSTON, June 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Issues related to gender, the workplace, and family are important social and political concerns. "Gender and Family in the Language Services Industry" is the first in a series of reports by independent market research firm Common Sense Advisory (CSA Research) dealing with gender and family issues among those who are employed in the language industry – translation, localization, interpreting, and related tasks – or who work with language services.

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The language services industry is above average with respect to gender equality, but new study by CSA Research reveals there is room for improvement.
The language services industry is above average with respect to gender equality, but new study by CSA Research reveals there is room for improvement.
What matters most to you in your career?
What matters most to you in your career?

Earnings Reports
Economic studies show that jobs considered "women's work" typically show lower pay than those associated with men, and that wages fall as more women enter a field. By contrast, both genders earn above-average wages in language services: US$50,900 in North America and $34,800 in Europe (versus economy-wide averages of US$49,630 and roughly US$20,000, respectively).

"These results are generally positive. Despite significant downward price pressures, language services professionals' earnings are in line with – or exceed – those of other skilled professionals, without the penalty often associated with 'women's work,'" comments Arle Lommel, a senior analyst at CSA Research.

Key Findings and Dataset
Based on 2,200 global responses, the CSA Research report shines light on topics ranging from pay to personality to promotions. Key findings from the report, which is available for free with registration, include:

  • The world-wide language services gender pay gap is 19%. Adjusting for employment status, men still make 14% more than women. Earning disparities are highest in top and middle management and executive positions.
  • The gender gap is lowest in North America, but higher in Europe. However, Europeans believe they are closer to pay equality than others and Americans believe their employers are less equitable than others.
  • Majorities believe that gender issues do not affect them personally. Women are more likely to believe they have been personally affected, but both men and women, tend to see gender issues as important problems that affect other people.
  • Both men and women see women as having more positive qualities as employees. Respondents of both genders tend to agree that women have more positive qualities – including those important for leadership roles – than men do. Nevertheless, these qualities do not convert into advancement opportunities. 

To download the full report, visit commonsenseadvisory.com. To request an interview with the report's lead analyst, contact Melissa Gillespie at +1 760-522-4362.

About Common Sense Advisory
Common Sense Advisory is an independent market research company helping companies profitably grow their global businesses and gain access to new markets and new customers. Its focus is on assisting its clients to operationalize, benchmark, optimize, and innovate industry best practices in globalization, internationalization, localization, interpreting, and translation. http://www.commonsenseadvisory.com | @CSA_Research

Media contact:
Melissa C. Gillespie
[email protected] 
+1 760-522-4362

SOURCE Common Sense Advisory (CSA Research)