- Within UK Grocery and retail, women are less likely to ask for a pay rise, with just 22% doing so compared to 31% of men.
- In the past year, nearly four in 10 women working in retail have not asked for a pay rise, progression, high visibility project or leadership at all, compared to 24% of men.
- 72% of men believe men and women are equally likely to be promoted for the same level of performance in their organisation compared to 62% of women.
New research from GALAXY® has revealed a significant self-promotion gap within the UK’s Grocery and retail sector.
A survey of 500 employees ranging from large supermarkets to independent and convenience segments found that women are less likely to ask for a pay rise, with just 22% doing so compared to 31% of men.
The gap extends into perceptions of equal pay too. More than half of men (53%) strongly agree that men and women are equally likely to be paid the same amount, while only 42% of women say the same.
Women are also less likely than men to pursue opportunities linked to career progression, including training (28% versus 38%) promotion (18% versus 29%), and high-visibility projects (7% versus 19%). In the past year, only 18% of women have proactively asked to lead a team or take on more responsibility compared to 30% of men.
While 61% of women who have not pursued opportunities say they are happy in their current role, they remain less likely than men to actively promote their achievements to colleagues. Meanwhile, the study also found that 17% of women who downplayed their achievements or experience did so because they were worried about being labelled as “difficult” or “pushy” – a concern for only one in ten men.
The disparity continues with the ‘likeability’ factor. 41% of men versus 32% of women have felt pressure to be more ‘likeable’ or ‘collaborative’ to progress within their organisation. But when asked whether that pressure falls more heavily on women, 21% of women say yes compared to only 11% of men.
The findings are part of The Unhumble Project launched by GALAXY® in March this year in partnership with Young Women’s Trust. The initiative aims to help women learn the power of self-promotion, with a focus on confidence.
Romi Mackiewicz, GALAXY® Brand Director said: “Our research found that women face ongoing concerns around visibility, self-promotion and workplace perceptions. Fewer women feel comfortable highlighting their own achievements to colleagues, and in fact will downplay their expertise to avoid negative reactions. The gap is also evident when we start to look at advocacy. Almost half of men (48%) say their employer actively encourages people to put themselves forward for progression opportunities, compared to just 38% of women.
“We see the same pattern with senior levels of advocacy. 44% of men report to have a senior colleague actively advocating for their career progression versus 34% of women. We want to see women equally championed across the industry, with the support and opportunities to progress for those who want to.”
When it comes to barriers in career progression, 36% of women cited lack of confidence as the highest-ranking factor.
Romi continues: “Around 3 in 10 grocery retail workers believe there are more issues holding employees back from progressing in their career compared to other industries. The grocery sector is one of the UK’s largest employers, employing over one million people.
“We must create positive change through transparent processes, role models and manager encouragement for both men and women. The Unhumble Project by GALAXY® aims to challenge the cultural pressure for women to downplay their success in and outside of the workplace. Progressive retailers play a critical role in how individuals and the industry will thrive.”
For practical exercises and training support, visit GALAXY® Unhumble Project.
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