Where women progress

New analysis into official data shows which UK sectors are most female-friendly and where women are thriving most.

Ruth Holmes

21 February 2022

The study by Reboot Digital found workplaces in sectors that traditionally pay less well are those that are more equal.With gender pay gap reporting deadlines just weeks away and International Women's Day on 8 March, the study also highlights that despite some progress, many sectors and enterprises still have a long way to go on promoting and supporting women in the world of work.

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Women lead in hospitality

Evaluating factors like female representation and seniority, and the existence and extent of gender pay gaps, the report ranked the accommodation and food services sector best for women.The sector sees 6.81% of females in higher positions of leadership, whilst it also ranks within the top ten for female representation, with over 52.34% of the industry being female. “Gaining a score of 7.25 out of 10, and ranking first, this industry has emerged as the most successful sector which is supported and managed by a female-centric workforce,” said Reboot Digital.The administrative and support services sector takes second place, while public administration and defence, which has over 52.36% female representation, but one of the widest pay gaps at -23.64%, is third.

Pay gaps prevail in finance

The financial and insurance sector is in equal seventh place. This sector represents a fifth of FTSE100 companies and the UK’s most valuable enterprises.However, the sector’s gender pay gap is -37.57%, putting it ahead of real estate activities (-34.11%), and information and communication (-32.44%).

Where women progress least

The least female-friendly sectors are mining and quarrying, energy supply, transport and storage and, perhaps surprisingly, education, which has 72.07% female representation. According to the data, women in mining and quarrying roles are being paid a staggering 95.14% less than men. Historically known as a male-dominated industry, it also places second to last for female representation after construction.Commenting on some of the results, Naomi Aharony, CEO and Co-Founder at Reboot Digital PR Agency, said: “Of all the industries analysed, nine out of the 21 scored above five for women’s opportunities."The gender pay gap across all industries is one amongst many factors that are being tackled in the workplace, so it’s very interesting to see a male-dominated industry like construction paying female employees 4.63% more."Though, there is a lot more to be done in normalising gender equality as well as providing a better environment for women in the workplace."