Being mentored, being involved in critical job assignments and networking with senior decision makers are bigger factors in getting women promoted than HR processes, suggests research.
Women themselves believe objective HR processes are the most important thing, followed by supportive supervision and career planning, according to research from Kenexa High Performance Institute among 1,000 employees in global businesses, presented at the Women’s Business Forum. Yet HR processes account for only 7% of promotions for women, but for 15% of promotions for men, which could suggest processes are often weighted in favour of male employees.
Mentoring and sponsorship are important factors in leading to promotions for women (12%). However, the research found 83% of respondents don’t have mentors.
The research found three things have a negative impact on women being promoted: self-promotion, supportive work-life culture and work-life balance.
The Women’s Business Forum took place in London on 7-8 October with more than 600 delegates from 150 global companies. The theme was ‘Better Balance, Better Business’.