Everywoman welcomes call for balanced workforce

16:30 11th May 2009

Everywoman, a provider of resources for women in business, has welcomed ministerial encouragement for greater gender balance in the workplace.

Addressing the Fawcett Society, equalities minister Harriet Harman said that the upcoming equalities bill will facilitate positive discrimination and seek to rectify the gender pay gap, as women are paid up to 20 per cent less than their male colleagues in some sectors.

Women could be encouraged to boost their skill sets with computer training or opt for a career change into a more high-flying position.

Karen Gill, director of everywoman, said: "It is essential that organisations focus on encouraging and supporting their female staff into higher management and invest in their development and training to ensure they progress into the senior roles."

She added that there are still relatively few women in high-level management positions within British business.

According to a study commissioned by recruitment scoring website HigherScores.com, more than 80 per cent of employers take the opportunity to ask prospective female employees whether they plan to have a family soon.