Is There ‘Inequality Amongst Equals’ for Women Working in Europe? (Media Release)
June 1, 2014Highly qualified women working in Europe are lagging behind their male counterparts in pay (earning over €36K less after 5 years) and seniority, despite having the same qualifications (all are MBA graduates), the same work experience, the same ambition to reach the top and using all the same tactics as men to get ahead says Catalyst’s newly released research, High-Potential Women In Europe.
To interview Sibylle Rupprecht, Executive Director, Catalyst Europe, please contact Frances Knox at [email protected] or telephone + 44 7850 470123.
Key Findings:
The pay gap: From their first jobs, female MBA graduates earned €4,255 less than their male counterparts; after 5 years, this had widened to €36,304.
- Ambition – who is aspiring to the top?
- 95% of women aspire to the top.
- 97% of men aspire to the top.
- How are they advancing their careers?
- 25% of women are using the full range of expert-recommended tactics to advance their careers.
- 18% of men are using the full range of expert-recommended tactics to advance their careers.
- 64% of women ask for a variety of work assignments to develop knowledge and skills.
- 50% of men ask for a variety of work assignments to develop knowledge and skills.
Women working in Europe are also receiving fewer critical responsibilities necessary to advance:
- Manage an Annual Budget of USD $10+ million:
- 24% of women
- 40% of men
- Profit & Loss Responsibility
- 34% of women
- 48% of men
NB: The sample of 526 men and 124 women (all MBA graduates, working full time and 85% in global organisations) is sufficiently large to generalise our findings to the broader population of high-potential talent working in Europe.
ABOUT CATALYST
Founded in 1962, Catalyst is the leading nonprofit organisation expanding opportunities for women and business. With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, India, Australia, and Japan, and more than 700 members, Catalyst is the trusted resource for research, information, and advice about women at work. Catalyst annually honors exemplary organisational initiatives that promote women’s advancement with the Catalyst Award.