Career dissatisfaction reaches three-year high for women working in media.
Posted on
Latest research reveals a growing dissatsfaction among women in the media industry, driven by concerns about pay and a lack of promotonal opportunites.
The Women in Media Industry Insight Report 2024, released today, indicates that a majority of women (57 per cent) are unsure or explicitly dissatisfied with their career progress, and more than one-third are contemplating leaving their jobs.
“Increased levels of anxiety and dissatisfaction are alarmingly evident in this year’s Women in Media Industry Insight Report 2024,” said Petra Buchanan, strategic advisor to Women in Media.
“Career aspirations are being overshadowed by concerns about pay inequity and a lack of advancement opportunities.”
She added that “the financial pressure, being felt across various sectors of the economy currently, is starkly reflected in these findings, with inadequate remuneration topping the list of grievances.
Women in Media Strategic Advisor Petra Buchanan
“Increasingly, senior and mid-career women are considering quitting their jobs driven by worry about the availability of senior roles and increased fear of redundancy. The report highlights recommendations for employers to address inequalities women face in the media industry.”
Key findings from the Women in Media Industry Insight Report 2024 include:
- Career Progress Concerns: 57 per cent (up by 3 per cent) of women are dissatisfied or unsure with their career progress, with notable spikes among early and mid-career women
- 49 per cent (up by 11 per cent) of women with 5-10 years of experience said they are not progressing as desired
- 47 per cent (up by 23 per cent) of early-career women are dissatisfied
- Over one-third attribute their dissatisfaction to a lack of opportunities
- Intention to leave: 35 per cent (up by 6 per cent) of women are considering quittng their jobs, particularly senior and mid-career professionals
- Perception of gender equality: 56 per cent (up by 3 per cent) hold a negative view of the media industry’s commitment to gender equality
- Pay concerns: 58 per cent (up by 11 per cent) are concerned about better pay
- Promotion and redundancy fears: 58 per cent (up by 15 per cent) worry about the availability of senior roles, while 47 per cent (up by 9 per cent) are concerned about limited promotional opportunities and 25 per cent (up by 10 per cent) fear being made redundant
- Support and resources: 27 per cent believe being engaged or challenged in a positive way is crucial to their career progress, however 48 per cent (up by 2 per cent) are concerned about the impact of budget cuts and a lack of resources
- Call for gender pay audits: 69 per cent of respondents advocate for gender pay audits to address the media industry’s gender pay gap
- Skill development needs: 46 per cent prioritise learning about artificial intelligence, followed by podcasting and digital technology. Two-thirds of the women surveyed are positive about using AI, primarily for research and content creation.
Research author and strategic advisor to Women in Media Petra Buchanan emphasised the urgency for employers to address entrenched issues impacting the careers of women in the media workforce.
“These results underscore the critical and urgent need for industry-wide systemic change, starting with a firm commitment to gender equality and addressing the above-average gender pay gap (the latest ABS data states a 9 per cent average weekly earnings pay gap for women in the Information Media and Telecommunications Industry ($409.40 less per week than men) with the average Australian weekly earnings gender pay gap being 7 per cent.”
“This change must include providing fair compensation, ample growth opportunities, and a safe, supportive work environment so that women remain in the media and transition into leadership positions,” said Petra.
Recommendations for employers arising from the report include committing to gender equality through transparency and increased pay, clearly defining pathways and promotion to help advance women’sprogression, providing access to upskilling opportunities, and increasing managerial support.
For the full report you can go to womeninmedia.com.au
