Survey shows gap between women, men on pay, promotions

Meanwhile, women (36%) are less likely than men (42%) to seek more responsibility and a promotion at their company, finds the Robert Half survey.

How many Canadian women will look for a new job?

Despite their demands, women seem to be more loyal to their employer than men, according to Robert Half’s survey of 1,500 professionals across Canada in December 2024.

Fewer women (33%) than men (42%) plan to look for a new job in the first half of 2025.

And fewer women (66%) than men (80%) would ask for a raise if they didn’t receive one. 

It will take more than 100 years before the world sees full gender parity, according to a report from the Women’s Executive Network (WXN).

Factors limiting women's career development

While there has been progress when it comes to gender equality in the labour force, most women continue to be restricted to a more limited range of trades and occupations than men, according to the Quebec government.

“The jobs that women do are concentrated mostly in office work, nursing, teaching, home care and child care. There are more men than women working in administration as senior managers in the fields of engineering and computer science and as plumbers, electricians and carpenters,” the provincial government explains.

Also, jobs deemed to be for women are less well paid than those said to be for men, according to the government. 

“In fact, the data shows that, regardless of level of education, the average salary of women entering the labour market is lower than that of men. And this wage gap persists throughout women’s careers.”

In January, the federal government announced a $40-million investment aimed at boosting women’s participation in the workforce and addressing systemic barriers that limit economic opportunities.

Empowering women in the workplace

Here’s how educators, and other mentors can help guide girls and women when it comes to choosing a career path, according to the Quebec government:

• Provide examples of women who work in diverse trades and occupations, e.g. as a truck driver, a building mechanics technician, a nurse or an administrative assistant. Young people can thereby imagine themselves in jobs that reflect their own interests and not gender stereotypes.
• Remind them how important it is to choose a career that you are passionate about. Girls and boys need to know that all choices are permitted and possible.
• Introduce them to little-known trades and occupations in order to broaden the scope of their search.
• Suggest concrete activities for your child: job shadowing in a sector that interests them, or volunteer work in an environment that interests them.
• Encourage them to use the resources available to them (websites, vocational guidance and counselling services in school, program directories, etc.).