Top 5 Ways Employers Can Help Women Advance Revealed by New Randstad US Survey

ATLANTA, Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Equal pay, more visible female leadership and more family-friendly work policies are among the most beneficial ways in which companies can help women advance, according to male and female respondents to the latest Randstad US Employee Engagement Index study.

• When asked about the top ways in which their company can best help women advance to leadership levels, not surprisingly, equal pay was cited most often among women (49%) and men (37%).
• Having more women in leadership positions was the second most cited (named by 34% of women and 31% of men).
• More family-friendly work policies was the third most cited overall, selected by 31 percent of women and 26 percent of men.
• The fourth way was more leadership development programs for women, named almost equally by women and men (25% and 24%, respectively).
• Men and women differed significantly on their opinions on number five on the list, with 28 percent of women and just 20 percent of men noting that greater flexibility in terms of scheduling/telecommuting would help in the advancement of women.

The study also found that 67 percent of total respondents strongly/somewhat agree with the statement, "By 2020, I expect there to be many more women in leadership positions in my company or organization." Additionally, more than three-quarters (76%) of women feel whether a company "has women in positions of leadership" is important when considering taking a position with a new company.

"With nearly one billion women poised to enter the global economy in the coming decade, and representing the majority of college and advanced degree holders, employers will be increasingly reliant upon women in the workplace to drive innovation and corporate success," said Lisa Crawford, senior vice president, Randstad US. "In order to compete in the growing war for female talent in the years ahead, companies that encourage the development and attainment of leadership positions equitably will be well-positioned in their recruitment efforts. The pursuit of leadership rank is a universal aspiration, and therefore organizations that help their workforce achieve those goals, regardless of gender, will emerge successful." 

Women and men surveyed by Randstad US weighed in on a variety of topics related to employee engagement and women in the workplace. Other relevant findings included:

• Women are Less Likely to be Considering a Job Change
  According to Randstad's Q3 2013 Engagement Study, in the next 6 months, 42 percent of men compared to 34 percent of women are likely to seek out a job in a different company, and 48 percent of men compared to 40 percent of women are likely to give a lot of consideration to a job offer.
• Women are Optimistic about Opportunities for Growth with Their Employers
  Only 46 percent of women expect- to have to switch employers to grow their careers, compared to 56 percent of men.

As one of the world's largest staffing organizations and the third largest in the United States, Randstad US is committed to elevating the conversation around women and work. The company regularly creates and curates content on its Women Powering Business blog and convenes live conversations about women in leadership through its Women Powering Business initiative, including upcoming events in San Francisco (November 12) and Boston (November 14). Randstad Technologies is also partnering with CIO's Executive Council to host events focused on women in technology careers in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Dallas.

Randstad US recently launched an Inspiring Women in Our Lives contest on Facebook, focused on recognizing the women who are prevailing challenges, overcoming obstacles, and breaking barriers at home, in the office and in their communities.

Survey Methodology

The Randstad Engagement Index is comprised of findings from quarterly waves of research targeting employees and annual surveys of employers. The eighth wave of findings was conducted online between September 19 and October 4, 2013 from a national sample of 2,033 adults aged 18 and older who are currently employed full time from Ipsos' U.S. online panel.

Weighting was used to balance demographics and ensure samples reflect the U.S. population of working adults.

Employees and employers were surveyed to compare notable differences in perceptions and attitudes. Multiple waves of research allow for trending and to track changes in perceptions and attitudes over time.  Research into employee attitudes and perceptions will be conducted quarterly. Research into employer attitudes and perceptions will be conducted on an annual basis.

About Ipsos Public Affairs
Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice which conducts strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based on public opinion research.  They are the international polling agency of record for Thomson Reuters, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.  To learn more, visit: www.ipsos-pa.com.

About Randstad US
Randstad is a $22.0 billion global provider of HR services and the second largest staffing organization in the world. From temporary staffing to permanent placement to inhouse, professionals, search & selection, and HR Solutions, Randstad holds top positions around the world and has approximately 29,300 corporate employees and around 4,500 branches and inhouse locations in 39 countries around the world. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands, Randstad Holding NV is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. Learn more at www.randstad.com and access Randstad's panoramic US thought leadership knowledge center through its Workforce360 site that offers valuable insight into the latest economic indicators and HR trends shaping the world of work.         

SOURCE Randstad