Women in the workforce are concerned about the balance between work and private life, which includes having flexible working arrangements” says Pamela Maharaj, PwC SA Director: People and Change Solutions. “A recent PwC global survey ‘Managing Tomorrow’s People – Future of Work’ shows that women are more concerned about relationships, values and loyalty – whereas men are more focused on financial rewards, increased responsibilities, technology and business networks.”
Looking to where they would be in ten years time, 41% of female survey respondents prioritized enjoying a better work-life balance than they currently have. Only 31% of men ranked this as their priority. The primary long term goal for 47% of men was rather to have vastly more responsibility and with the salary to match (40% of women respondents listed this as their primary goal). Slightly more men (22%) saw themselves flourishing as a self-employed specialist over the next decade (women 18%).
When asked what the most important work benefit - besides salary - is, 45% of women cited flexible working arrangements, compared to 33% of men. Very far behind this, the second highest rated benefit for women (15%) was paid academic training and development. This training benefit was ranked third by men (also 15%). Rather, male respondents had performance-based cash bonuses as the second highest rated priority (22%), and this was third ranked by women (14%).
Many women (46%) saw their career paths as ultimately leading to a mutually beneficial, long-term relationship with a major corporation, in which they could acquire valuable experience across a variety of roles. This was also the top vision for men, but for a lower number of them, at 39% of respondents. The genders were equal on their career goal of staying with an organisation that has earned their loyalty and respect (men 33%; women 32%). More men (29%) than women (23%) saw themselves as being career mobile, working for a variety of employers and on a wide range of projects over their working life. The ideal employer for women (51%) is a company whose values match their own - only 42% of men prioritized this.
Looking to the corporate future, 47% of women said it would be important for companies to have a powerful social conscience intrinsic to the brand and a "green" sense of responsibility (35% of men). In contrast, the most important thing to men (37%) was that companies embrace technology and the power of social networking (women 33%).
On the issues of what people ideally want to gain from their work experience, both genders were most concerned with making a difference in the world (women 44%; men 41%). There was also consensus on the second ranked outcome to be gained from work experience - being quality relationships and a strong network (women 38%; men 36%). Men were more keen to reach as high a professional profile, and as quickly, as possible (women 18%; men 23%).
With South Africa experiencing a severe shortage of skills across several levels and in many sectors, Maharaj recommends companies be forward-looking and innovative. “They should acknowledge that men and women do have different expectations from the work environment, and accommodate these as best as they possibly can.”
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