Despite campaigning for gender parity for more than 100 years, the latest research shows that 40% of managers within the legal industry believe their industry still struggles with a lack of gender diversity.
The research, which comes from multi-discipline recruitment experts, Search Consultancy, was conducted with 1,000 managers and asked respondents to rate how they believed their industry compared against a range of diversity markers.
The full list, from most to least diverse in terms in gender representation, is:
o Legal – 40%
o Hospitality – 44%
o Marketing – 49%
o Sales – 50%
o Scientific – 52%
o Engineering & manufacturing – 52%
o Logistics – 53%
o Call & contact centre – 54%
o Accountancy & finance – 55%
o Business support – 56%
o Social work – 56%
o Healthcare – 57%
o Financial services – 59%
o HR – 59%
o Industrial – 60%
o Transportation – 63%
o Construction – 68%
The research also looks into racial and age diversity within businesses across the sectors. 54% of managers in the legal industry believe their business lacked racial diversity with 37% admitting age diversity was an issue.
49% of managers also believe a more diverse workforce would help resolve the skills shortage in the legal sector.
Erin Vickers, director of talent and engagement at Search Consultancy, said: “Although research shows that 58% of managers in the legal industry believe their industry is suffering from a skills shortage, little is being done to encourage a more diverse workforce and consequently widen the talent pool available.
“The benefits of having a diverse team are endless. Looking outside of the typical candidate demographic can help resolve the skills shortage, create a better understanding of customers and significantly improve employer brand. Now more than ever, it is time to encourage increased diversity in the workplace and help businesses grow following a very difficult 12 months.”
To read more about diversity in your sector and how it can help resolve the skills shortage, read Search Consultancy’s latest report, here: https://bit.ly/3c5gPVx