Staff think flexible work damages promotion hopes

Over a third of civil servants think their promotion chances will be hampered if they avail of flexible work options, according to a new study. The research, published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) last week, found that the perception was highest among those who had availed of leave schemes and flexible options.

But it said analysis of data on recent promotional competitions showed no significant differences in the success rate of men and women, although it also found that women were significantly less likely than men to have applied for promotion in recent years.

Gender balance at work: A study of an Irish civil service department found that over a third of workers were currently using flexible work schemes in the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine. Women and staff with children are more likely to do so, and take-up is lower among technical and professional grades.

Women were also significantly less likely to have participated in training and, overall, they were more likely to perceive that they had experienced gender bias.

Although men hold the majority of senior civil service positions, the study found that the department’s male staff were more likely than women to perceive gender bias in promotional competitions.

Women were also significantly less likely to have participated in training and, overall, they were more likely to perceive that they had experienced gender bias.

The research, by Shannen Enright and Helen Russell, is based on survey responses from over 900 staff in the department.

Joint author Helen Russell said the report had uncovered a widespread view that flexible working damages promotion opportunities.

“Increasing the availability and take up of such options by men would normalise this practice and may help to reduce the perception that take up of flexible work options signals reduced work commitment. It may also help dispel the view that actions to promote equality only benefit female workers,” she said.

Read the report HERE.

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