Women/TECH

Women in Technology: An Uncertain Future Says Deloitte & Touche Survey

60% of Women in High Tech Careers Would Choose Another Profession 'If Starting Out on a Career' Today Glass Ceiling for Women in High Tech Industry Revealed

    Women face an uncertain future in the high tech industry as findings from a national Women in Technology Leadership survey released today show a remarkable 60% of women currently working in the field would choose another profession if 'starting out on a career' today. The survey, released by Deloitte & Touche LLP/Deloitte Consulting and conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide, reveals why women are less likely than men to choose a high tech profession: the glass ceiling, usually associated with more traditional companies, has reappeared in the new economy.
    "The findings from the Women in Technology survey clearly demonstrate that much more progress needs to be made before women and men are perceived as equals in the workplace," said James E. Copeland, Jr., chief executive officer of Deloitte & Touche and its global parent, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. "The research findings provide a compelling reason for business leaders to identify and promote new opportunities for women to become technology leaders."
    Additional findings of the Deloitte & Touche Women in Technology survey:

- Is there a glass ceiling in the high tech industry?

    Nearly two-thirds of women surveyed believe a glass ceiling is a
    reality for women in the high technology industry (62%),
    whereas 62% of men felt that this barrier is a non-issue for
    women in the high-tech industry.

- What perceived barriers to advancement exist for women and why?

    Those who perceive a glass ceiling exists cited the following
    reasons: women being perceived as less knowledgeable and/or
    qualified than their male counterparts, gender bias, sex
    discrimination, stereotypes, and a lack of women technology
    leaders. (84% of women and 57% of men said there were too few
    women high tech leaders)

- Who dominates the industry?

    65% of the respondents associate the high tech industry with
    men compared with a mere 4% who associate it with women.

- What does it take to succeed in the high tech arena?

    Women are more likely to link female success to skill,
    accessibility to female mentors and education, while men are
    more likely to attribute women's success to the prosperous
    economy of the past 10 years.

- What does the future hold for the industry, for women?

    An overwhelming percentage of male and female respondents (78%)
    associate a strong economy and long-term future growth with
    the industry. 61% of women who work in high tech say they
    generally face a glass ceiling (vs. 62% of women in other
    professions). And while 33% of women, when asked if they were
    'starting out on a career' today, would choose high tech as
    their preferred career path, fully 47% of men say the same.

    "While there are women achieving stunning success in the high tech industry, they appear to be the exception rather than the rule," said Sue Molina, tax partner and national director of the Deloitte & Touche Initiative for the Retention and Advancement of Women. "There is clearly a disconnect between men and women's perceptions of what factors contribute to success in the workplace. This is an opportune time for the industry to step up its commitment to women. Deloitte & Touche encountered similar statistics with our female employee retention rates and we responded with our Vision 2005 initiative to advance more women into leadership positions. We found ways to create work environments that promote equality and advancement for everyone, regardless of gender."
    The survey was conducted as part of Deloitte & Touche's "Vision 2005, " an initiative that will increase the total number of female partners/directors within the firm to 1,000 by 2005, up from the present figure of 486. The interviews were conducted in March 2001 with America Online members and the population surveyed included 1,000 women and 500 men. All the survey respondents were employed full-time and had Internet access at work. The sampling error for the survey is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

    Since 1993, Deloitte & Touche's Women's Initiative has focused successfully on recruiting and advancing talented women into leadership positions within the firm. As a result of its efforts, Deloitte & Touche has boosted the percentage of women partners and directors from 6.5 percent in 1993 to 14 percent in 2000. The success of the Initiative has helped distinguish the firm as an Employer of Choice. In January Fortune magazine named Deloitte & Touche one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, Working Mother magazine has recognized the firm as one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" for seven consecutive years.

About Deloitte & Touche LLP/Deloitte Consulting

    Deloitte & Touche LLP/Deloitte Consulting is part of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and delivers world-class assurance and advisory, tax, and management consulting services through nearly 30,000 people in more than 100 U.S. cities. The firm serves almost one-fifth of the world's largest companies as well as large national enterprises, public institutions, and successful fast-growing companies. The firm is dedicated to helping our clients and our people excel. Known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programs, the firm has been recognized as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" by Fortune magazine for four consecutive years. Deloitte & Touche is the U.S. national practice of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a Swiss Verein, and each of its national practices is a separate and independent legal entity.

reprint from Deloitte Release