Women in the Workplace

Top Challenge Since the height of the pandemic, over one million women left the national workforce and never returned 1. This has resulted in serious implications not only for our state’s workforce, but for the trajectory of women’s leadership and career development. Women in the workplace are pursuing career and leadership options more ambitiously, but oftentimes require adaptable workplace options and resources to balance home and career pursuits.

Women Drive Georgia Business Georgia women make up 46% of small business owners in the state, overseeing nearly an estimated 500,000 businesses2, and women own over 20% off all Georgia businesses – the 8th most female owned businesses in the nation3. Oftentimes, business ownership can give women a pathway to desired flexibility and career movement that they may not be able to accomplish as quickly otherwise. However, women continue to chase roles in business ambitiously as well; 80% of women seek to be promoted to the next job level available to them 4 .

Barriers and Disparities of women who may have chosen to exit the workforce in the last 5 years, it is often not for lack of interest in being employed outside of the home. Two major barriers to re-entry into the workforce remain child and family care, and feelings of burnout. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that 58% of parents cannot find childcare, and of those who can, a quarter cannot afford it. Women also participate at higher rates in fields where employees are considered more ‘at risk’ such as education and healthcare. In 2020, 25% of women considered leaving their careers due to burnout, increasing to 33% of women by 2021 1

Among women who remain in workplace roles, they currently battle what has been named ‘the missing rung’ of opportunity. That is, women are promoted into first manager roles at a rate of only 87 to every 100 men. Additionally, further disparities among women of color exist as well, promoted at only 54 women to 100 men 4. Addressing all aspects of this gap is critical to bolster strong leadership examples for young women.

Persistence and Leadership Continuing to develop strong leadership is critical to bolstering women’s success in the workplace. Nationally since 2010, the share of female senators has increased from 10% to 25% and the average share of female state legislators has increased by 8%. In Georgia, 65% of TCSG enrollment is now female, supporting entry into much needed occupational options. Women make up 30% of top executive roles in Georgia 5, and nearly 35% of state legislators 6 .

Leaders must continue to empower women in all levels of professionalism, participate in innovative solutions to engage female workforce and leadership, and further develop conversation in this arena.

1 US Chamber of Commerce: Women in the Workforce

2 SBA 2023 State Profile, Georgia

3 Metro Atlanta CEO, 2022

4 McKinsey Featured Insights; Women in the Workplace, 2023

5 US News: States with the Highest Percentage of Female Top Executives, 2023

6 National Conference of State Legislators: Women in State Legislators for 2023