Even though the course has been set - only around a fifth of companies are currently practicing full equality
Zurich and Morges, March 8, 2024 – Companies around the world are paving the way for a fairer future by promoting diverse talent and narrowing the gender gap - but Switzerland still has significant potential. This is shown by the study World of Work Outlook for Women in 2024, published by ManpowerGroup on International Women's Day.
Equal rights in Swiss companies
As part of its quarterly labor market barometer, ManpowerGroup conducted an additional survey on the topics of diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging. This continues to be a priority for Swiss companies: to retain talent, counteract the skills shortage and increase the proportion of diversity in the recruitment process, four out of five companies have introduced specific measures to promote the proportion of women in middle management, front-line management, professional/technical, administrative and operational areas. On average, 43% of Swiss employers believe that these initiatives are currently working as planned or even better in their company.
Inspire Inclusion: Women should empower each other
Becky Frankiewicz, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Manpower Group, emphasizes the importance of role models and collaboration. Not only does it need to become more visible which paths women have already taken in order to be successful. They also need to empower each other more, for example through internal groups and communities led by women at executive level. "These groups can take responsibility for each other, support each other and maintain open communication," emphasizes Frankiewicz. Ideally, young women should be integrated into these groups at the start of their careers - long before they fall behind in terms of promotions and pay.
Technology supports equality
Although measures have been introduced, there is still considerable potential in Switzerland: the results show that only 22% of companies currently practice full equality. However, 63% are confident that they will achieve this almost or completely in the next two years. Technology is likely to play an important role in this: 66% of respondents believe that technological advances have made companies more flexible and thus promote gender equality. In addition, 61% believe that qualified applicants for IT-positions are more diverse today, and 55% state that artificial intelligence helps to recruit the best candidates regardless of gender.
Focus on internal measures
According to the survey, the role of HR departments is becoming increasingly important for Swiss companies, especially when it comes to diversity and inclusion strategies. 62% of companies state that they will continue to invest in and expand programs and measures for diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging. Flexible working arrangements, internal leadership development programs and internal mentoring/coaching programs appear to be particularly effective in this context.
CONTACT
Angela Barbera
Communication Specialist
Phone +41 58 307 22 71 / +41 79 519 72 74
E-mail: media@manpower.ch
Patrick Preuss, Nabila Bouzouina
open up AG
Phone +41 44 295 90 76 / +41 78 900 10 79
E-mail: patrick.preuss@open-up.ch, nabila.bouzouina@open-up.ch
ABOUT THE EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK SURVEY
The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey is the most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind, used globally as a key economic indicator. The Net Employment Outlook is derived by taking the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting from this the percentage of employers expecting a decrease in hiring activity.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
The methodology used to collect the data for the Employment Outlook has been digitized in 42 markets for the Q2 2024 report. Survey responses were collected in January 2023. The question asked and the respondent profile remains unchanged. Size of organization and sector are standardized across all countries and territories to allow international comparisons.
ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 70 countries and territories and has done so for 75 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity – as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality, and Disability, and in 2024 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 15th time – all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.
For more information, visit www.manpowergroup.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding labor demand in certain regions and countries and economic uncertainty. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These factors include those found in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, including the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which information is incorporated herein by reference. ManpowerGroup disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this release, except as required by law.