Barriers must be broken | Almost two-thirds of employers admit risk of forcing out female employees if business practices don't change

Almost two-thirds (59%) of employers say if current working practices don’t change, companies run the risk of forcing out women employees, according to new research.

The data, collated by global prize innovation experts, Challenge Works, also finds that seven in 10 (71%) employers from future-focused industries say there won’t be enough people from low-income backgrounds without change, suggests women employees are also concerned - with a third (29%) of working women from lower-income backgrounds with children saying they will have to stop work due to caring responsibilities at some point in future.

The new survey coincides with the release of the ‘Pathways to Progress’ report from Challenge Works, supported by JPMorgan Chase, identifying barriers stopping women from low-income backgrounds from accessing employment in future-focused sectors.

As vacancies in future-focused industries such as technology are on the rise and talent is in demand, two-thirds (66%) of women from lower-income households with children say that businesses have to change their attitudes towards flexible work for the workplace to be accessible for women in future.