Released on: November 20, 2007, 7:00 am

Press Release Author: GCS Ltd

Industry: Human Resources

Press Release Summary: More than half of women working in IT (56 per cent) believe
that the industry has a career 'glass ceiling' according to new research from GCS IT
Recruitment Specialists, sponsors of this year's British Computing Society's (BCS)
Women in IT Award.

Press Release Body: This finding is backed up by more than a third of respondents
(35 per cent) who stated that there wasn't a single woman in a senior position when
asked about the top-five ranked members of staff within their IT organisation or
department.

The results of the research also show that 83 per cent of the women surveyed have a
male line manager, with 88 per cent working with colleagues of whom more than
two-thirds are male. GCS believes this indicates that companies must take immediate
action to turn this negative trend around and expand opportunities for the untapped
resource of potential female IT recruits.

"The results of this research indicate that the IT industry is struggling to pull
itself out of the vicious circle created by its male dominated heritage," said Chris
Bartlett, GCS' managing director. "With demand for IT staff reaching unparalleled
levels across Europe, it is essential that more women are encouraged to follow
careers in IT, in order that the deficit is addressed. We believe that the promotion
and encouragement of women in IT is good for the sector, as mixed gender workforces
not only enable a greater natural balance, they also promote a better working life
for staff. The industry needs to take significant and swift action to make the
necessary changes to avoid a serious shortage of staff in the future."

Neither do the prospects of those surveyed look bright, as 60 per cent believe that
they will have to leave their current company to get promoted. Perhaps more
worryingly, 49 per cent believe that a male colleague with the same skill set has
been promoted ahead of them during their career, and that their last pay rise was
not equitable to their male colleagues (41 per cent).

One respondent commented: "I honestly believe that if I had been born male, that
while my skill levels would be the same, my responsibilities would be far greater.
Women may have to work harder than the men to achieve the same recognition."

When asked what they believed puts women off having a career in IT the survey showed
the following:
 34 per cent said because it was 'male dominated'
 27 per cent because 'IT is perceived as dull'
 15 per cent because of IT's 'geeky reputation'.

Another respondent commentated: "Perhaps women don't see themselves as good at
technical tasks but what they don't realise is that communication skills are as
important as being technically proficient in this industry."

GCS is sponsoring the BCS' Women in IT Award for the second consecutive year. The
winner will be a company that can demonstrate how it is encouraging women in the
workplace through such initiatives as flexible working patterns, career development
opportunities and support networks. Winners of the award will be announced at a
presentation ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, in December, forming the
culmination of a year of celebration for the BCS' 50th anniversary.

Wendy Hall, Chair of the BCS strategic panel of the Women's Forum explains: "All of
us increasingly use IT in our daily lives but there are very few women involved in
the design, development and management of IT systems. This award is an important
step towards encouraging employers to address the issue within their IT departments
and to ensure they offer career opportunities which are open to and supportive of
both sexes."

Further information about the awards can be found at: www.bcs.org/industryawards

ENDS

About GCS - www.gcsltd.com
Established in 1989, GCS is an IT recruitment specialist with an annual turnover of
£23 million. The business has grown organically and consistently, principally on
reputation and referral, featuring in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100.

GCS employs 79 staff in its network of offices in both the UK (London, Nottingham
and Reading) and Continental Europe (France, Ireland and the Netherlands).



Web Site: http://gcsltd.com

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