This international women's day we spread awareness for those who work in the financial and business sectors where they suffer from inequality at work.

As one of the top business and financial regions, London is on top in many areas with booming business and advances in investments and more. Despite this city’s success it is greatly behind in it’s diversity and equality movements.

Bloomberg’s report from 40 women across banking, insurance and asset management in Britain have describe diversity and inclusion initiatives as ‘tokenistic’ and lacking any real change in the industry.

Many believe we won’t reach gender pay equality until at least 2050 or later.

Change is moving too slowly to make a real impact in the long run and many are worried how long it will take to reach gender impunity.

The UK parliament released a report on the Treasury Committee’s urge for action on tackling sexism in the city.

Are we Moving backwards?

  • On average in the UK men are paid 14.5% more than their female counterparts. This gap has increased in the last year from 14.3%
  • EY figures found that only 44% of directors in European financial services firms appointed in 2023 were women, this is down from 51% in 2022.
  • EY research also shows that in the financial industry, the gender split among board directors is 39% female and 61% male.
  • Many victims of workplace abuse have been made to sign a non-disclosure agreement meaning the abuser is given their freedom whilst the victim of assault is forced into silence.

What needs to be done

  • The Treasury Committee has urged for a ban on NDA’s in cases of sexual assault.
  • More support at all different levels including young women in education, help to provide access to education to more women and encourage them to pursue business and finance.
  • Increase focus on the wellbeing of staff rather than the reputation of the company as the committee found HR teams were prioritising the business and those in senior positions.
  • Firms should focus on internal talent and on developing those within the business already instead of buying talent into the business.
  • The UK parliament’s report suggested more education and awareness around menopause would help many women able to remain in their roles for longer.

The trade union Unite explained:

“We lose good people [ … ] at menopause, when you have qualified, capable women choose to leave their roles due to the lack of understanding and willingness to work through the issues and keep that good person in role.”

  • Gender equality campaigner, Baroness Helena Morrissey told the BBC that more men needed to be involved in the change. The business and financial industry is still a male-dominated industry and riddled with bullying and abuse towards women, this can only change if both men and women are aware and willing.

 

The Financial and Business sector needs to do more to improve it’s equality and diversity stand point. This will widen their talent pool and improve the skill shortage problem in addition to encouraging more women to take on senior positions as well as enter into the industry to begin with.