MassBio Report
As part of our on-going efforts to improve diversity in the life sciences industry, MassBio partnered with Liftstream to develop a comprehensive study examining the cause behind the lack of gender diversity within the Massachusetts life sciences sector. This report, the most extensive of its kind, explores the experiences, motivations, and actions of both companies and employees to evaluate why gender gaps exist at every level of an organization, and offers a set of recommendations to improve gender diversity and inclusion.
The report's findings challenge many long-held assumptions about gender diversity, while reinforcing many beliefs about why the problem persists and the best actions to remedy it. Here's a short sampling:
- Women are taking initiative to advance their careers, at a rate higher than men, but without the same results.
- 63% of C-level women reporting to change careers regularly to scale the ranks vs 21% of C-level men.
- 38.7% of women at the SVP or VP level frequently ask for promotions vs 12.5% of men.
- Women want to work at a diverse company and are willing to act upon their beliefs.
- 46% of women say they’d reject an employer because of having an all-male board, all-male management, and because they were interviewed only by men.
- There is a major disconnect between what companies believe is working to improve diversity and what women see as happening in reality.
- Only 9% of women viewing their companies as fully inclusive vs 40% of companies claiming this.
We view this report and its suggested actions as a launching pad toward real change across the industry.
Q&A: Answering Key Questions on MassBio's Gender Diversity Report
Q: What was the purpose of this study?
A: To diagnose the core reasons why there is not gender diversity in the life sciences, especially at the higher levels. Unlike other studies that offer a statistical snapshot of the participation of women in the life sciences sector, simply restating the problem, this study seeks to uncover the causes from the perspective of companies and employees. We not only quantify the issue, but also identify the gaps, measure them, and ultimately suggest corrective remedies. In this sense, the study enables us to evaluate why gender gaps exist at every level of an organization, and to look at exactly where in the talent pipeline potential women leaders are being lost. The report then includes seven broad approaches companies can immediately apply to address the gender gap along with 50 actionable solutions to improve participation of women in their companies.
Press Release: MassBio and Liftstream Study Shows Gender Gap in Life Sciences Sector Perpetuated by Companies’ Culture, Processes and Talent Management
September 21, 2017 (CAMBRIDGE, MA) – The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) and executive recruiting company Liftstream today released a new report, “Opening the Path to a Diverse Future,” a study examining the cause behind the lack of gender diversity within the Massachusetts life sciences sector. This report, the most extensive of its kind, explores the experiences, motivations, and actions of both companies and employees to evaluate why gender gaps exist at every level of an organization, and offers a set of recommendations to help companies increase diversity and inclusion. It shows just how much the current lack of diversity impedes companies’ ability to attract talent, with 46% of women saying they’d reject an employer because of having an all-male board, all-male management, and because they were interviewed only by men.