Futurestep Survey: Executives Believe Women in STEM Roles Helps the Bottom Line

However – Less Than One-Third of Respondents Say Their Companies
Require Female Candidates Be Part of STEM Recruiting Pool

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Companies that want to increase profits should work to increase the
number of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
roles, according to an executive survey released today by the Futurestep
division of Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY), the preeminent global people and
organizational advisory firm.

Of the nearly 1,000 executive respondents from around the globe, 63
percent said having more women in STEM careers would have a “great
impact” on their company’s bottom line.

However, less than one-third (30 percent) of respondents say their
organizations either often or always require there be at least one
female candidate as part of the process for hiring STEM employees.

“Clients who understand the positive cultural and financial impact of
having women in STEM roles often require that women candidates be
included in the recruiting mix,” said Samantha Wallace, Futurestep
Technology Market Leader for North America. “This doesn’t mean that the
women will get preferential treatment, it simply helps create a diverse
pool from which to choose.”

Statistics point to a significant under-representation of women in STEM
careers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey
(ACS), women comprise 48 percent of the U.S. workforce, but just 26
percent of STEM workers. In other words, about half as many women are
working in STEM jobs as one might expect if gender representation in
STEM professions mirrored the overall workforce.

In the Futurestep survey, the respondents said STEM careers are being
considered by less than a quarter of the high school girls and college
women they know (e.g. children, grandchildren, children of
friends/colleagues).

“There are many reasons why today’s companies have a low percentage of
female STEM workers, including the fact that fewer young women than
young men are choosing this field as their college major and
profession,” said Wallace. “The silver lining though, is that we do see
a slow but positive trend for more women in these roles.”

More than half of respondents (59 percent) said there are more women in
STEM careers in their organization than five years ago. In addition, 58
percent said having an employee referral program targeted toward women
STEM recruits would have a great impact on finding qualified candidates.

“We see that companies that make diversity efforts core to their
recruiting and retention strategies have a better chance of attracting
and keeping the most dedicated, engaged and productive employees,” said
Wallace. “It’s no surprise that our survey respondents say that they
expect having more women STEM employees will have a positive impact on
financial performance.”

About the survey*

There were 913 responses to the global executive survey, which took
place in April 2016.

 

What impact does having more women in STEM (Science,
Technology,Engineering and Math) careers have on your company’s
bottom line?

 
Negative impact   0%
 
No impact 15%
 
Some impact 22%
 
Great impact 63%
 

What impact would having an employee referral program targeted
toward women STEM recruits have on finding qualified candidates?

 
Negative impact 1%
 
No impact 9%
 
Some impact 33%
 
Great impact 58%
 

Compared to 5 years ago, how many women are in STEM careers in
your organization? (STEM = science, technology, engineering and
math)

 
Fewer women 8%
 
About the same 33%
 
More women 59%
 

Does your organization require that when hiring for
STEM-related positions, there be at least one female candidate in
the mix?

 
Never 39%
 
Sometimes 32%
 
Often 13%
 
Always 17%
 

Of the high-school girls you know (e.g. children/grandchildren,
friends/colleagues children, etc.) what percentage are considering
degrees in STEM careers?

 
Less than 25% 49%
 
25%-50% 33%
 
50%-75% 17%
 
75%-100% 1%
 

Of the college-age women you know, (e.g.
children/grandchildren,friends/colleagues children, etc.) what
percentage are pursuing STEM degrees?

 
Less than 25% 60%
 
25%-50% 24%
 
50%-75% 10%
 
75%-100% 6%
 

*Due to rounding, some totals may not equal 100

 

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is the preeminent global people and organizational advisory
firm. We help leaders, organizations, and societies succeed by releasing
the full power and potential of people. Our nearly 7,000 colleagues
deliver services through our Executive Search, Hay Group and Futurestep
divisions. More information on Futurestep can be found at www.futurestep.com.

Contacts

Korn Ferry
Tracy Kurschner, 612.309.3957
Tracy.kurschner@kornferry.com

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