88 per cent of employees believe in diverse, balanced teams: Survey

Two-thirds support quotas to put more women into leadership

While 58 per cent of Canadian companies have more male than female managers, 88 per cent of Canadians believe in diverse and balanced women-men teams, according to Randstad's latest Global Workmonitor, surveying employees in 32 countries.

Globally, 40 per cent feel there are not enough women in leadership positions at their current employer. The percentage is highest in in China (79 per cent) and India (76 per cent) where employees feel strongly about the need for more women in leadership positions.

In Canada, 68 per cent of respondents believe quotas forcing companies to promote more women to leadership positions are effective. And employers encourage women to pursue leadership positions more often than in other countries (74 per cent), found the survey, with a minimum of 400 people per country.

"Canadian employees are seeing the value of nurturing a mixed gender work environment, in the boardrooms as well," said Hanna Vineberg, vice-president for central Ontario at Randstad Canada. "Companies who build balanced teams will resonate better with their current and potential employees, and will be better equipped to meet the needs of a market that is increasingly complex, demanding and diversified."

When it comes to equity, 73 per cent of respondents felt their employer rewards men and women equally in similar positions while 28 per cent think women make less money than men do in similar positions.

However, a 2012 study by Randstad found more than nine in 10 women in managerial positions in Canada said they were still making less money than a man doing the same job.

"The gap in perceptions is a clear indication that organizations still need to invest in promoting gender diversity, especially in more senior roles, and show how their career opportunities are as appealing to women as they are to men," said Vineberg.

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