Research on women in the construction industry
Building Commission NSW conducted a large piece of research to investigate the culture of the construction industry and the barriers women face in entering, working, and staying in the industry.
Key findings from the research
65%
Of women
felt they needed to work harder than men to receive the same recognition.
53%
Of women
across all company sizes and locations report experiencing sexual harassment at work.
49%
Of workers of all genders
avoid using toilet facilities on site.
Representation of women in the industry
- 46% of Tiers 2 and 3 companies have fewer than 5% of women, compared to only 9% in Tier 1.
- 35% of Tiers 2 and 3 companies don’t have any women.
Common barriers of entry for women
- 42% of male employers perceive physical demands of the work as too high compared to 13% of the female employers.
- A lack of exposure to construction related fields and an absence of marketing of roles to woman are common reasons why women do not consider the industry.
- Women feel that it is difficult to get a role in the industry without personal connections.
- Employers are reluctant to hire women in unskilled roles.
Women’s experience in the industry
- 71% of women who left the industry across Tiers 2 and 3 have experienced discrimination based on their gender.
- 1 in 2 women in Tiers 2 and 3 report experiencing sexual harassment at work.
Why women leave the industry
Top 3 reasons women are considering leaving the industry in Tier 2 and 3 include:
- Difficulty balancing work and other responsibilities
- Lack of promotion or career opportunities
- Gender-based differential treatment
Infographic of the Women in Construction Report findings (PDF 72.5KB)
About the research
- Feedback was collected through the online Women in Construction ‘Have Your Say’ survey, which received 1,792 responses.
- Insights were also obtained from 36 individuals through one-on-one interviews and 9 focus groups were held to understand perspectives and perceptions of small to medium construction businesses. Insights were obtained from a broad cross-section of the community including men, women, students and the general public.
- The Women in Construction Report provides informed recommendations to increase women’s participation in the industry and address some of the systemic challenges they face in their career.
- The research received a 95% confidence level and was found to be statistically significant.
A message from Vanessa Carmody-Smith, Executive Director Policy & Programs Building Commission NSW
Vanessa Carmody-Smith, Executive Director Policy & Programs Building Commission NSW introduces the Building Commission NSW Women in Construction Research report.
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