Workplace culture was shown to be a bigger issue for female progress than balancing work and family life in a recent investigation by professional training company Roar Training.  The investigation uncovered the top 10 issues that are holding women back at work in the UK.

Focusing on everything from ambition being seen as a bad thing to unhealthy company culture, Roar Training’s research shows that the reasons why UK employees aren’t getting ahead are varied, but unfortunately, not that surprising.

Top 10 Issues Holding Employees Back At Work

Roar Training analysed the issues that are holding UK employees back at work and discovered just how much needs to be addressed. Their research uncovered the 10 most common workplace issues.

Studies show that 74% of female employees feel that their workplace culture makes it more challenging to advance their career than men. In fact, the top issue holding UK employees back is unhelpful stereotypes.

1. Unhelpful stereotypes
2. Ambition seen as a bad thing
3. Differing views on satisfaction between genders
4. Unconscious bias
5. Unequal pay structure
6. Working hours
7. Company culture
8. A lack of career progression
9. Minimal training and support
10. Lack of role models

Stand out stats from Roar Training’s research include:

• Almost three in four (74%) of female employees feel their workplace culture makes it more challenging for women to advance their careers than men. 42% of men agreed.
• A survey of 4,010 young mothers aged 18-30 showed that 39% had been illegally asked in job interviews how being a mother would impact their ability to work.
• Studies show that women are more likely to be referred to as bitchy, emotional and bossy than their male colleagues.
• Attributes displayed by men are often viewed differently when displayed by women.
• Unconscious gender bias affects workplace feedback and advancement. In an interview environment women tend to be judged on their experience, whereas men are more likely to be judged on their potential.
• Nearly eight in 10 firms, 78%, have a pay gap in favour of men, while 8% of companies reported no pay gap at all.
• British employees work some of the longest hours in Europe. A high percentage of UK workers work more than 10 hours over their contracted hours on a regular basis.
• Women are more likely to be promoted by other women than men. This has been put down to issues such as inherent bias.
• A year-long study by Cambridge University of 5,814 UK employees (54% men and 47% women) found that workplace culture was creating a barrier to career advancement for women. In fact it was shown to be a bigger issue than balancing work and family life.

Commenting on the findings Kirsty Hulse, Founder of Roar Training said

Our findings are just the highlights reel of the large mass of issues UK employees are experiencing every single day.

We seriously need to invest time and effort into listening to our employees and putting steps in place to address these concerns. Fail to do so and your employees will make their thoughts known through absence or taking their skills elsewhere.

Hulse continued

Men becoming better allies will also be key to changing organizational culture and making women feel more comfortable at work and allow them to thrive.