A study of local employers suggests women are more likely to advance their career if there's a female executive at their place of work.
Workforce WindsorEssex is studying the upward mobility of women at six major employers including Windsor Regional Hospital, KPMG, EssexWindsor EMS and Enwin Utilities. The agency received funding from Status of Women Canada to conduct their research. It included a survey of both the employers and female employees.
So far, the research shows while many women lack the confidence to seek advancement in their career, the presence of a female executive can't be overstated.
"Seeing those women in those high levels is really critical, and those women do have an important role to play in motivating and providing good leadership," says project co-ordinator Heather Gregg.
According to Statistics Canada, women make up 49% of the workforce but only 39% of management positions. As for earnings, it says women make just over $0.74 for every dollar men earn.
Gregg says Workforce WindsorEssex hopes to extend the project to include other employers in Windsor-Essex, and already some workplaces have shown interest.
"They've said 'you know this would be really great for our women too', so we're keeping apprised of those employers."