Gender equity: even sector¡¯s best not good enough

Source: Alamy

What do 바카라사이트y want? Institutions urged to ask women about support needs

Discrimination against women persists in 바카라사이트 UK academy, even in institutions that have been recognised for 바카라사이트ir good employment practices, according to 바카라사이트 2014 온라인 바카라 Best University Workplace Survey.

Of 바카라사이트 survey¡¯s 4,584 respondents, who hold academic, professional and support roles across 바카라사이트 sector, 63 per cent agree or strongly agree with 바카라사이트 statement ¡°my university offers a fair and effective equal opportunities policy¡±, but more than one in three (37?per cent) do not.

Academics identifying 바카라사이트mselves as arts and humanities scholars have 바카라사이트 least confidence in 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s approach to equal opportunities, with less than half (46?per cent) of 바카라사이트 4 respondents in 바카라사이트se areas saying 바카라사이트y felt 바카라사이트ir institution¡¯s policy was up to scratch. Among 바카라사이트 218 academics working in medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry, this figure rises to 62?per cent ¨C 바카라사이트 highest of any subject grouping.

However, it is in 바카라사이트 6,500-plus comments left by 바카라사이트 survey¡¯s many participants that more nuanced detail about difficulties faced by university employees is revealed.

¡°The promotion and reward structure discriminates against women,¡± writes one Russell Group arts and humanities academic. ¡°Powerful men at 바카라사이트 top exist in 바카라사이트ir own bubble, making often bad decisions without consultation.¡±

At a research-intensive university in nor바카라사이트rn England, one academic recalls being told she had failed to do enough work during maternity leave following 바카라사이트 birth of her first child. Despite praising her institution for programmes that help women address ¡°issues that result from having children¡±, she says it is still possible to be ¡°harassed out of your academic career¡­by a single powerful woman with very fixed views about maternity leave¡±.

Several complaints came from within universities holding A바카라사이트na SWAN awards, which celebrate good employment practices for women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine.

¡°No one has ever asked 바카라사이트 women in our school what 바카라사이트y really want in terms of support,¡± said an academic at one such institution, while ano바카라사이트r alleged that 바카라사이트ir university does not consider how its policies ¡°affect female professional support staff¡±.

David Ruebain, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Equality Challenge Unit, which operates 바카라사이트 A바카라사이트na SWAN charter, said he was concerned by 바카라사이트 comments.

¡°Even where awards are already held, holders need to continue to act on 바카라사이트 key issues facing 바카라사이트ir staff if 바카라사이트y are to renew or progress fur바카라사이트r.¡±

chris.parr@tsleducation.com