Study: 76 percent of Filipinas, moms still experience workplace discrimination

(philstar.com), May 12, 2017

MANILA, Philippines — Workplace discrimination is still rife in the Philippines, with an alarming 76 percent of female respondents admitting they deal with inequality and prejudice on a daily basis, recent research findings show.

According to the study of job hiring portal Monster.com, although 84 percent of Filipino women believe both men and women have the same opportunities to advance in their careers, 69 percent are planning to look for a new job within the next 12 months.

The main reasons for this are financial concerns (40 percent) and needing more flexible working arrangements (17 percent). But discriminatory behavior in the office also plays a part in Filipino women’s
happiness at work.

According to the study, which surveyed over 900 people locally, 39 percent of women believe they were passed over for promotions because of their gender, while 18 percent say they experience things like being “talked down to” by their boss, or being called names such as “bossy” (16 percent).

Additionally, 17 percent of women have been questioned about their desire to start a family during the interview process, indicating that this is still a factor in many employers’ hiring decisions.

Nonetheless, it is not all doom and gloom. Happily, Filipino women reported some of the best flexible working arrangements in all of Southeast Asia – a whopping 68 percent are able to use flexible hours, while 43% also have the option to work from home.

This is positive news for mothers, who reported they often feel “held back” in their careers because they made a choice to start a family (29 percent).

“Lack of sufficient support from the workplace sometimes makes it a challenge for women to juggle both work and family commitments. Many still struggle with the physical and financial demands of raising a child, and would prefer support from their employer that can integrate both their needs for childcare and financial compensation,” said Sanjay Modi, Managing Director, Monster.com Asia Pacific and
Middle East.

“Even for highly qualified women, it can be a challenge to get back into senior roles after a long absence. Apart from employers working towards more flexible and family-friendly policies, we also need women in powerful positions to push for change so employers can incentivize and alter workplace practices that may encourage women to return after childbirth. Over time, this career interruption can have a lasting
effect, including fewer opportunities for advancement and a widening gender wage gap.”

In a bid to show support and encourage more mothers to re-join the workforce, Monster Philippines recently launched the “#SheMakesItWork”campaign to raise greater awareness on issues women across Southeast Asia face at work.

The official video features four women at various phases of motherhood, who share their struggles and provide advice for all women facing a similar situation.