When it comes to your job and career, what do you value most? Opportunity for advancement, bonuses, flexible working hours? Is there a difference between genders?
AgCareers.com surveyed more than 2,000 people in the agricultural industry and found some similarities and a few notable differences between what men and women value most in the workplace.
The first recognizable difference comes in opportunities for advancement. Women were looking for advancement opportunities and aspired to move up within the ranks. A significantly higher percentage of women than men hoped to advance to a higher level position one day. In contrast, a significantly higher percentage of men were content in their current position. Overall, women were optimistic about their opportunities for advancement in the agricultural industry.
Benefits can be a crucial part of attracting and retaining top talent. Respondents were asked which benefits were most valuable in the workplace. The most valued benefit overall for both genders was health insurance. Women placed more value than men on flexible working hours. Flexible working hours can address some of the stressors felt by working parents. Female respondents reported feeling the stressors of being a working parent more than men. Women with children under the age of 18 were more likely to agree that being a working parent had sometimes made it difficult to advance or commit to their career.
Most Valued Benefits | |||
Men | Women | ||
1. Health Insurance | 89% | 1. Health Insurance | 91% |
2. 401 K Retirement/RRSP | 73% | 2. Flexible Working Hours | 80% |
3. Flexible Working Hours | 66% | 3. 401 K Retirement/RRSP | 76% |
4. Bonus | 64% | 4. Bonus | 50% |
5. Vehicle | 52% | 5. Vehicle | 43% |
Consider these findings when developing your company-wide programs and total compensation packages. For more information, download a copy of the full Gender Roles and Equality in Agribusiness survey report.
Advancing Women Conference provides powerful connections and learning opportunities. The Advancing Women Conference (AWC) is a way for women in agriculture and food-related industries to come together for a few days of learning, networking, and sharing. AWC East will be held October 3-4, 2016 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. For more information, visit www.advancingwomenconference.ca. |