According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women outnumber men in the workplace in the U.S. by .04%, which equates to over 100,000 women.
Despite being the majority in the workplace, women are still facing hurdles that make work environments not ideal.
“The scales have tipped, at least in terms of sheer numbers,” said Julia Georgules, JLL’s Senior Director of Research for the East Coast and Canada. “That said, more women in the workplace does not automatically equate to workplaces that are ideal for women or a more diverse workforce in general.”
There continues to be a gender pay gap disparity, while flexible work policies have left little room for childcare responsibilities that limit career opportunities for mothers.
For example, a survey conducted by the Center for American Progress found that women are 40% more likely to be the partner that manages family emergencies or take care of children.
Many companies are making moves to create a personalized work environment for women by adopting more flexible work options that help employees to achieve a better work-life balance.
Some organizations are also offering private lactation spaces for new mothers, which helps these workers feel supported by their employer.
Additionally, parental leave and on-site childcare services are key in attracting and retaining women in the workforce.
“Transforming the basic environment so women aren’t uncomfortable will start to grow in relevance more and more,” said Georgules. “There’s only so much you can do to address these issues on a broad scale since every individual is different.”
