Women in the workplace: Insights on gender equity

Despite progress in diversity and inclusion across Australia and New Zealand, women in the workplace continue to face invisible barriers that impact their career progression and everyday experiences. From unequal leadership opportunities to inconsistencies between policy and practise, gender equity at work remains a complex challenge.

In this free e-guide, we explore the state of gender equity in today’s workplace - what’s working, where gaps remain, and how organisations can take meaningful action to support women at work.

Backed by our latest research of 2,000 white-collar professionals across Australia and New Zealand, this guide provides employers with practical insights and actionable strategies to drive inclusion and build fairer, more balanced teams.

Download the guide to explore: 

• The real impact of ED&I policies and how to make them stick
• Differences in career priorities and what they mean for engagement and retention
• Perceptions of female leadership and the barriers women still face
• Why representation matters and how to increase female leaders in your business 
• Practical steps to empower women and create a culture where everyone can thrive

What is gender equity at work?

Gender equity at work is fundamentally about removing invisible barriers to create workplaces where your gender doesn't determine your ‘ceiling.’ It means ensuring that pay reflects performance, leadership opportunities are merit-based, and work-life balance is a reality for everyone. When talent drives advancement regardless of gender, businesses can unlock their full potential.

What are the benefits of gender equity at work?

• Increased innovation: Gender-balanced leadership brings diverse perspectives and problem-solving approaches, leading to more creative solutions and breakthrough thinking that drives business success.
• A future-ready workforce: A gender-diverse workforce provides varied skills and the adaptability essential for navigating future challenges and ensuring long-term organisational resilience.
• Enhanced employer brand: Organisations championing gender equity are becoming employers of choice, attracting top talent while strengthening their brand appeal to clients, partners, and investors. 
• Stronger attraction and retention: A workplace that empowers women is more attractive to top talent across all demographics and fosters greater loyalty and engagement.

Why is empowering women at work important?

• Enhanced decision-making: Gender-diverse leadership teams consistently make better decisions by bringing varied perspectives to complex challenges, reducing blind spots and groupthink that can lead to costly mistakes and poor strategic choices.
• Reflect the diverse markets you serve: When your leadership reflects the diversity of your customer base, you gain deeper market insights and can better serve your clients' needs. This alignment helps you understand and connect with broader audiences more effectively.
• Proven business performance: Studies consistently show that companies with greater gender diversity in leadership positions outperform their less diverse counterparts in profitability, productivity, and employee satisfaction, delivering measurable competitive advantages. 
• Strengthens workplace culture: Inclusive environments promote collaboration, respect, and psychological safety for all employees, not just women. This creates an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their best work.

What are the challenges to achieving gender equity at work?

• Perception gaps: Our research in this e-guide shows that many women report a higher awareness and experience of gender-based disparities compared to their male counterparts, underscoring a perceptual gap.
• Policy vs practise: While many organisations have gender equity policies in place, there’s a gap between intention and consistent implementation. Consistent action is required to ensure policies translate into everyday behaviours, fair processes, and genuine support for all employees.
• Differences in how leadership qualities are perceived: There can sometimes be subtle differences in how we perceive leadership qualities based on gender. What's seen as strong or assertive in one person might be viewed differently in another, simply due to ingrained biases. This can unintentionally impact how opportunities are distributed and how potential is recognised.

Download the e-guide now

 Gain a deeper understanding of gender equity in today’s workplace and what it takes to create a truly inclusive culture. Our e-guide is grounded in research from across Australia and New Zealand and offers practical advice to help organisations close the gap between intention and action.

Inside, you’ll learn more about:

• Making gender equity policies work
• Perception of women leaders in the workplace
• The need for equal representation of female leaders
• How organisations can empower women in their careers