Lack of opportunities and recognition are the main professional challenges for women

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The study showed that 71% of professionals believe they lost vacancies or promotions just because of their gender

For the third consecutive year, the research carried out by Infojobs, an HR Tech that develops solutions for HR, traces the experiences faced by women in the job market showed that finding opportunity (27%) and recognition or professional growth (26%) are among the main challenges they face daily. In this scenario, 77% believe that men have more chances, just as 88% believe that there is salary inequality – 54% of them already perform the same role as a colleague, but earn less.

“When we delve deeper into the research numbers and compare them with previous editions, we see perceptions that are repeated, such as professional credibility. In both 2023 and 2024, 69% of participants felt that just because they were women, they were not fit enough to perform a certain role. And we go further: 71% still see that they lost opportunities just because they are women. In fact, only 13% say they have never faced major obstacles,”

analyzes Ana Paula Prado, CEO of Infojobs.

The situation begins in the selection process, the study points out, 58% of them have already experienced invasive or subjective situations, where the focus was not just on professional competence.

“Something very common to be asked during interviews is the question of motherhood. Why don’t they also ask parents about paternity? They ask about the support network, the child’s needs and none of this is actually relevant at the time of hiring. In fact, it may even turn away the ideal candidate, as the company culture is also reflected during interviews, and people are increasingly placing more value on working in fair and healthy environments,”

explains Ana.

The work market

When we talk about leadership, 42% of participants have never worked under female senior management. On the other hand, 40% of those interviewed say they have worked in a company where the number of women in leadership was greater than the number of men. Compared to the survey released by Infojobs in 2023, this year’s index registered a growth of 4 percentage points, which points to positive changes for the market. In this scenario, 47% say that at least one of these women in leadership was black.

Regarding diversity, 62% of respondents state that they do not currently work or have not worked at some point in their career with a trans woman, revealing yet another warning.

“Inequality is a reality, but we must fight and act as agents of transformation, supporting women, instigating companies and even creating specific development programs for female professionals, whether in leadership or not. It is worth remembering that the research showed that, during their professional journey, 70% have felt or feel more supported and/or motivated by other women than by men. Here, in addition to HR establishing mentoring programs among women, holding workshops and lectures on female empowerment and creating support and networking groups, it is necessary to implement inclusion and equal opportunities policies and, with a high percentage, make men aware of the current scenario of women in the job market”.

Harassment is still a problem

In this situation, most participants (45%) were afraid to report and omitted the situation, 23% took a stand at the same time and 16% resigned. Only 5% reported it to HR.

“It is worrying to think that they preferred to resign rather than report the situation to HR, showing once again the importance of reinforcing an egalitarian and fair culture within companies. To help reduce cases like these, the recommendation is, in addition to raising people’s awareness, the creation of anonymous reporting channels, as this reduces the chance of reprisals from the harasser and protects the victim”,

says the CEO of Infojobs.

For the executive, over the years, many scenes are repeated, but we have a scenario of evolution, still slow, but an evolution and the arrival of new Laws.

“In Brazil, currently, medium and large companies must have a policy to prevent sexual harassment and other forms of violence in the workplace. Those that don’t have one run the risk of being reported to the Public Ministry of Labor or fined. But even so, what was reflected in the research showed that there is still a lot of room to gain effectiveness in what is being done. It is necessary to pay close attention to collective and individual needs, especially in situations involving crimes, and of course, to motivate women to take a stand, ensuring that their rights are met”,

concludes.

Research carried out by Infojobs between February and March 2024, with the participation of 742 people who identify as female, aged 18 to 60.