Global professional services firm Accenture is seeking to achieve a gender-balanced workforce – 50% women and 50% men – by 2025, as it sees diversity as a “source of creativity and competitive advantage,” according to Ellyn Shook, chief leadership & human resources officer.
“As we work toward ‘50 by 25,’ our ultimate goal is to create a truly human environment where people have a real sense of belonging, where they can show up every day, be who they are and be their best, both professionally and personally,” she added.
The firm currently has 150,000 women employees, representing about 40% of its global workforce. It also announced plans to grow the percentage of women managing directors to 25% globally by 2020.
“Diversity makes our business stronger and more innovative and, most important, it makes the world a better place,” said Pierre Nanterme, Accenture’s chairman and CEO. “With this new goal, we are sending an important message to our people and our clients confirming our commitment to a gender-balanced workforce.”
In 2016, Accenture accomplished its goal of having women represent 40% of new hires. It was also able promote largest percentage of women to that managing director level (30%).
Separate research from the firm found that – at the current pace – developed markets would close the gender pay gap by 2080, while developing markets would do so by 2168. Its poll of over 28,000 women and men across 29 different countries found that a woman earns an average US$100 for every US$140 a man earns. The imbalance is exacerbated by results showing that women are less likely than men to have paid work (50% and 76% respectively).
“This contributes to a hidden pay gap that increases the economic inequities between men and women: for every [US]$100 a woman earns, a man earns [US]$258,” the report said.
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