"Supportive Managers Are Top Factor in Keeping Female Workers
in Professional Fold"
No author cited
Dell Computers, Harris Interactive, April 2005.
According to a 35-country survey by Harris Interactive Inc., women view
having a supportive manager as the No. 1 factor influencing their professional
advancement. The study was commissioned by Dell to “examine the attitudes,
perceptions and triggers of female managers at multinational corporations.”
The survey found that women managers chose to remain or leave their places
of employment according to a globally consistent criteria. The top two factors
were the presence of a supportive manager (63 percent) followed by domestic
assistance to help with personal obligations (54 percent). Fifty percent
of the respondents also cited flexible work hours as a key to advancement.
The respondents cited the following as the primary obstacles to advancement:
- Placing a higher value on personal and family responsibilities (59 percent).
- Perceptions of women's commitment to their careers (54 percent).
- Perceptions of women's capabilities (44 percent).
The study sampled 248 female managers in 35 countries between January 24
and February 15, 2005.
