The "Broken Rung" persists

Did you know the 2023 Women in the Workplace report highlights a persistent issue in the “broken rung” for the 9th year in a row, and this first step into management remains the biggest barrier for women on their path to leadership.

Even in typically female-dominated industries like Healthcare Systems and Services where a whopping 76% of entry-level positions are held by women, only 32% make it to the C-suite.

Here are three crucial insights from the report about the broken rung:

1. Women are not responsible for it

2. Bias is a strong driver

3. Without fixing it, gender parity in senior leadership is unattainable

The report suggests these actions to address the broken rung:

1. Track inputs and outcomes to identify inequities in promotions

2. De-bias performance reviews and promotions

3. Invest in career advancement for women of colour

4. Eliminate microaggressions

5. Optimise flexibility in the workplace