New Delhi, June 8 (IANS) Stereotypes and preconceptions of women being fragile and lacking qualities to be effective managers are still prevailing, a study on women managers conducted by the Centre for Social Research (CSR) said here Wednesday.
The study, conducted in Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Munmabi, said: ‘Nearly 72 percent of the companies audited during the interview process of the women managers and HR managers do not have any specific gender policies to promote women to leadership positions and make the organisation more gender inclusive.’
‘Special facilities such as flexible working hours, transport, compensatory leaves and medical benefits, which are the statutory kinds of benefits offered by majority, are outlawed in case of women,’ it added.
Based on a survey of 240 women managers and 24 human resources (HR) managers from the four metropolitan cities, the study said that maternity benefits also remain an issue for entry level and mid-level women managers.
‘Around 18 percent of the respondent women managers complained of conflicting roles, responsibilities and complaining in-laws, who wanted the daughter-in-law to quit their jobs,’ the study said.
Ranjana Kumari, director of the Centre for Social Research, said: ‘A major barrier for promotion of women managers comes from insensitivity of the corporates towards women’s social roles and responsibilities.’
The study revealed that women make up only 9.1 percent of the workforce in the hotel and restaurant industry, while men account for 90.9 percent.
