Naukri Survey Exposes Critical Workplace Trends for Women Professionals
In its second annual Voices @ Work International Women's Day report titled "What Women Professionals Want," Naukri, India's premier career platform, has unveiled groundbreaking insights gathered from over 50,000 women spanning more than 50 diverse industries. This comprehensive study cuts through the clutter to highlight evolving priorities, from escalating demands for financial transparency to enduring systemic biases that continue to obstruct gender equity in the workplace.
Surge in Demand for Equal Pay Audits and Menstrual Leave Policies
The survey reveals a dramatic year-over-year increase in calls for equal pay audits, which have jumped from 19% to 27%. This policy now ties with menstrual leave as the foremost request from women professionals. The demand is particularly pronounced among high-earners, with 48% of those making between 50 lakhs and 1 crore rupees prioritizing equal pay audits. As one respondent noted, "the closer women get to the top, the more they can see the gap," underscoring the growing awareness of pay disparities with career advancement.
Leadership Encouragement Rises, But Trust in Pay Parity Erodes
Encouragingly, 83% of women now feel supported in pursuing leadership roles, a significant leap from 66% in the previous year. Southern metropolitan areas like Hyderabad are leading this trend, with industries such as education emerging as the most empowering sectors for women. However, this optimism is tempered by declining confidence in pay parity. The survey indicates that 34% of women disagree that pay parity exists, up from 25%, with the perception gap widening as careers progress.
Persistent Bias in Hiring and Promotions
Bias remains a formidable barrier, with 42% of women citing it as the primary challenge in hiring and promotions for diverse candidates, marking a 7 basis point increase year-over-year. This issue is consistent across major metros, including Chennai (44%) and Delhi NCR (43%). Alarmingly, one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during interviews due to fear of discrimination. This reluctance intensifies with experience, rising from 29% among freshers to 40% for those with 10-15 years in the workforce.
Executive Commentary on the Findings
Sumeet Singh, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Info Edge, the parent company of Naukri, emphasized the report's significance. "Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83% feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India's leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report," he stated.
The Naukri report serves as a crucial call to action for organizations, urging them to address these disparities through transparent policies and inclusive practices to foster genuine gender equity in the professional landscape.
