Research reports
Through our proprietary research across different industries, we shine an expert light on the factors impacting women's appetite and ability to progress in their careers and to step into senior leadership roles.
Why Women Leave
We believe that any efforts to close gender pay gaps must be rooted in a deeper understanding of the central issue of retention.
Our 2023 cross-industry research of over 4,000 women looks at the factors that impact women’s decisions on whether to stay or leave their employer. It clearly shows that the key to retention isn’t to fix women, it’s to fix organisations.
This research was updated in May 2024 to include new data from 1,400 men and reveals important differences between men and women in terms of the factors that influence their decisions about whether to stay with or leave their employer. The research paper ‘How gender influences retention’ will be available to download here from 9 May 2024.
Hear more about Why Women Leave
The comprehensive 75-page research, sponsored by Clifford Chance LLP, set out to answer one question: why do women leave?
Report author, Edward Haigh, shares the key findings from the research in this video.
“This is an incredibly insightful piece of research.”
Anthony Painter, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Chartered Management Institute
Rethinking leadership through a gender lens
In 2020, we examined the impact of the pandemic on gender balance in business. Despite the introduction of universal remote working, our findings show that it is far from being the work balance ‘holy grail’ that has been so long sought after.
The comprehensive 50-page research report conducted in association with Rubica and People Management includes data from a survey of over 1,250 respondents as well as interviews with HR directors, senior leaders and gender diversity experts. It outlines nearly 60 practical recommendations, as well as 5 must-do actions, for any organisation at whatever point it is on its gender journey.
If you would like a copy of this report, please contact us.
“It is really thought provoking and interesting research. I can commend everybody to the whole report; there is a lot of substance in there.”
Baroness Morrissey DBE
Getting to equal: Career confidence and the path to leadership
In 2019, we surveyed over 2,500 respondents on the subject of women’s leadership and progression in the workplace.
We found that women lack confidence at work on a regular basis, face greater obstacles in reaching leadership roles and are not getting enough support from managers to overcome this. Organisations can address this by focusing on improving visibility of internal opportunities, formal sponsorship programmes, leadership development, support through coaching and opportunities to work flexibly.
The in-depth 24-page research report conducted in association with The University of Glasgow, Capability Jane and Management Today includes data from a survey of over 2,500 respondents and provides key insights and recommendations from business leaders and experts on how organisations can support women in the workplace and play their part in getting to equal.
If you would like a copy of this report, please contact us.
“The research is extremely thought provoking. Starting the conversation around gender equality in the workplace is usually the hardest task but the report provides a lot of conversation topics.”
L.L.
Confidence at work
Women regularly lack confidence at work but are motivated to improve self-confidence through personal development training.
Our research in 2017 with The University of Glasgow looked at levels of confidence in business women, asking specific questions about their working lives, self-confidence when in the workplace, and what support is needed to enable a more confident workforce of women in the future.
If you would like a copy of this report, please contact us.
“What you are doing is so important to help women find their confidence - and from that, power.”
Jo Swinson, Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats
How our research can help you
Learn more about how our research and insights can help you navigate the right path forward to achieve your gender equality goals. We’re here to support you.