Female Canadian Workers Report Workplace Disparities

Twenty-two percent of female workers said they feel they are paid less than male counterparts with the same skills and experience. Thirty percent of female workers feel men have more career advancement opportunities within their organizations.  

The study found women’s perceptions may be right. Comparing salaries, 43% of men surveyed reported they make $50,000 or more, compared to 25% of women. Four percent of men make $100,000 or more, compared to just 2% of women. On the other end of the pay scale, 44% of women reported they make $35,000 or less compared to 25% of men.   

According to a press release, in terms of upward mobility, 21% of men surveyed said they hold a management position compared to 19% of women. Nearly half (49%) of women said they are in clerical or administrative roles compared to 27% of men.   

Women also reported a difference in the amount of kudos given to members of the opposite sex. Twenty-three percent of women reported that men receive more recognition for their accomplishments than women do within their organizations.   

The Male Perspective  

From the male point of view, 86% of men feel men and women with the same qualifications are paid the same within their organizations, and 81% believe the career advancement opportunities are equal for both genders, according to the survey by CareerBuilder.ca.   

Five percent of men said they feel they are paid less than their female counterparts. Ten percent feel women have more career advancement opportunities, and 8% said women receive more recognition for their accomplishments than men do within their organizations.   

When asked what annoyed them most about the opposite sex in the office, men said women tend to gossip or become too emotional or sensitive. Women said men can be too arrogant, say inappropriate comments and don’t take female co-workers seriously.