By Jess Moss
A recent survey has revealed some interesting opinions and feelings amongst many female solicitors. The survey was carried out by the Association of Women Solicitors and Kings College and 800 female solicitors were quizzed on their opinions of such things as flexible working, women’s promotion prospects and working hours.
Perhaps disturbingly, but not necessarily surprisingly, the survey revealed that many women solicitors, tasked daily with promoting employment law and fairness did not necessarily see things as fair within their own profession. Indeed, the study suggested that a significant number of the lawyers questioned felt that taking up flexible working arrangements would be detrimental to their careers.
Half of all the women surveyed claimed to believe that women lawyers who worked on a flexible basis were ‘viewed as less serious about their careers’ than women who did not. Such findings are a serious blow to employment law makers as they suggest that even in the white collar professions, inequality may still be a problem, or at least a perceived problem.
Additionally, half of the women solicitors who responded to the survey felt they worked too many hours each week, with 41% working more than 48 hours, both in the office and at home. A staggering 96% claimed to want a career which would allow them to combine personal and family life with their job, suggesting that many may not already feel able to integrate home and work life.
Regarding flexible working arrangements, a third of women solicitors described themselves as dissatisfied with the provisions for flexible working and 44% believed that flexible working had a detrimental effect on potential promotion prospects.
The opinions of these women solicitors seem to suggest that certain white collar professions are still a long way from resolving the conflict of work and family life for female employees. However, despite the negative sounding responses, the survey found women lawyers were generally very happy with their jobs, with an impressive 80% saying they got ‘real enjoyment’ from their work and more than three quarters saying they were ‘deeply committed’ to their job.
Perhaps disturbingly, but not necessarily surprisingly, the survey revealed that many women solicitors, tasked daily with promoting employment law and fairness did not necessarily see things as fair within their own profession. Indeed, the study suggested that a significant number of the lawyers questioned felt that taking up flexible working arrangements would be detrimental to their careers.
Half of all the women surveyed claimed to believe that women lawyers who worked on a flexible basis were ‘viewed as less serious about their careers’ than women who did not. Such findings are a serious blow to employment law makers as they suggest that even in the white collar professions, inequality may still be a problem, or at least a perceived problem.
Additionally, half of the women solicitors who responded to the survey felt they worked too many hours each week, with 41% working more than 48 hours, both in the office and at home. A staggering 96% claimed to want a career which would allow them to combine personal and family life with their job, suggesting that many may not already feel able to integrate home and work life.
Regarding flexible working arrangements, a third of women solicitors described themselves as dissatisfied with the provisions for flexible working and 44% believed that flexible working had a detrimental effect on potential promotion prospects.
The opinions of these women solicitors seem to suggest that certain white collar professions are still a long way from resolving the conflict of work and family life for female employees. However, despite the negative sounding responses, the survey found women lawyers were generally very happy with their jobs, with an impressive 80% saying they got ‘real enjoyment’ from their work and more than three quarters saying they were ‘deeply committed’ to their job.
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