Women fill less than 2 of ten data science jobs, according to a recent Harnham Report. And that gender and pay gap covers a whole range of tech jobs from developers to programmers to cybersecurity staffers. The pay gap extends even to female remote workers in a job sector that is one of the most active in the United States.
Macy Bayern writes that companies only hurt themselves when such gender and pay gaps exist in this report published in TechRepublic:
“The business case for a diverse workforce is clear—research has continuously proven that diverse teams yield better results,” Stephanie Brooks, partner at Harnham, said in a press release. “A diverse workforce creates a more holistic business; one filled with more innovative products and services, in addition to creating a more stimulating, enjoyable and challenging environment for individuals to thrive in. In order to remain competitive in attracting and retaining the best skills in the market, businesses must explore ways to accommodate and support a diverse range of talent.”
While companies have strived to increase the population of women in STEM fields, gender diversity remains a significant issue. The majority (82%) of hiring managers named diversity the top issue in 2018, according to recent research from LinkedIn.
The global market for diversity and inclusion technology solutions totals at nearly $100 million, and is projected to continue growing. However, technological solutions won’t solve an organization’s attitude and environment around workplace inclusion and diversity.
