2025 Working Women's Report reveals S.African workplace trends

South African women are ambitious, loyal, and educated, but are they being heard in the workplace? The latest report from RecruitMyMom, South Africa’s largest survey of working women across all age groups and races, reveals a growing disconnect between what women value and what companies are offering. The report highlights that women in South Africa are incredibly ambitious, with 84% of them aspiring for career growth. However, despite this ambition, 50% of women currently working are looking for job opportunities elsewhere. This raises questions about the challenges women face in the workplace that hinder their professional growth and satisfaction. It also emphasizes the importance for companies to understand and support the needs of female employees to enable them to thrive. The report sheds light on the trends and obstacles that South African working women encounter in their careers. One key finding is the disparity between the increasing number of qualified women entering the workforce compared to the representation of women in middle and senior management positions. Although more women are earning degrees, starting their careers, and showing ambition, there is still a significant gap in leadership roles. This mismatch underscores the necessity for companies to create environments that foster women's growth and development. The report also highlights the crucial role of organizational culture in women's career advancement. It points out that a lack of internal growth opportunities is the primary barrier to career progression for women. While not all businesses can offer vertical promotions, creating open dialogues about career growth and providing skill development and leadership opportunities can support women in advancing within their careers. Additionally, the report addresses the issue of promotions for women and the challenges they face, particularly in the 'missing middle' managerial positions. As women often have dependents and may take career pauses, it impacts their promotion prospects. The report suggests that offering flexibility in terms of work arrangements during the middle management phase can help mitigate this challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought increased attention to the importance of flexibility in work arrangements. The remote work experience has shown that productivity can be maintained outside traditional office settings, leading to a greater emphasis on work-life integration. This shift has underscored the significance of flexibility as a factor contributing to women's well-being in the workplace. Women are increasingly advocating for equitable pay and transparency in salary structures. While salary disparities were not a top barrier to career growth in the report, they remain a concern for many women. The call for fair and transparent pay practices is gaining momentum, with women demanding to be remunerated equitably for their work. The report also reveals positive trends in working conditions and gender diversity over the past five years, indicating some progress in creating inclusive and diverse workplaces for women in South Africa. Despite the challenges women face in the workplace, there are signs of improvement in several industries. The HR, services, and marketing sectors are highlighted as areas where women are thriving and viewed as integral to success. However, the manufacturing industry lags behind in terms of diversity and working conditions for women. The report's insights provide a blueprint for companies to enhance gender equality and create a supportive environment for female employees. By implementing strategies outlined in the report, businesses can foster a more inclusive and equitable workplace for women.