WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to a recent IICF survey of over 800 female members of the insurance industry, just one quarter of respondents (26 percent) feel that the insurance industry is more embracing of women in leadership positions as compared to other business and professional services industries.
When asked to look into the financial services sector specifically, respondents viewed accounting and banking as the industries most supportive for the advancement of women, with 42 and 29 percent of the vote respectively (insurance received 23 percent of the vote). That being said, more than two-thirds of the women surveyed (68 percent) felt their companies actively promote gender diversity.
The survey was conducted at the recent Women in Insurance Conference Series by host, the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF). The Conference Series was comprised of four regional events in June in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and Dallas.
“Though we as an industry have made significant strides in creating a positive and equal work environment, there is still more we can do,” said Joe Tocco, Chief Executive North America P&C for XL Group. “Collectively, the industry has been successful in continuing an important dialogue about gender diversity and the tangible, real-world benefits it provides for companies and their employees. These conferences have created a forum for both women and men to discuss issues they see in their everyday lives and work together to find solutions for themselves and the next generation of insurance professionals.”
Key Finding: Challenges for Advancement
Survey results point to two primary factors as the biggest barriers for women seeking leadership positions: perceived lack of desire for senior roles to be filled by women and biases in the advancement/hiring structure within organizations.
At the same time, respondents acknowledged that the key challenges to advancing to senior roles are varied. For example, 35 percent cited limited availability of opportunities to move up the corporate ladder, but another 32 percent stated women’s own shortcomings in properly promoting themselves as the major deterrent to career advancement.
Key Finding: Promoting Gender Diversity
Survey-takers were asked to identify one primary action their companies could take to better support the development of women in the workplace. Sixty-four percent cited as their top choice the need for businesses to more efficiently identify high potential female employees and offer leadership training opportunities.
“The pathway to success for companies looking to create a successful and truly gender-diverse culture is paved by clear direction from executive level leadership,” said Kerian Bunch, EVP and General Counsel, U.S. Operations, Aspen Insurance. “As demonstrated by the Women in Insurance Conference Series, there is a clear and significant interest within our field to promote leadership diversity at a company and industry level.”
About the IICF’s Women in Insurance Conference Series
The IICF’s 2014 Women in Insurance Conference Series saw more than 1,300 insurance industry leaders attend from more than 200 organizations and 33 states. Events featured discussions focused on leadership, gender and diversity that were led by dozens of keynote speakers and panelists. XL Group was national presenting sponsor of the series. In 2015, the conference format will take a national and global focus with a three-day event June 17-19 in New York City. For more information on the Conference Series, visit: http://womensconference.iicf.org/.
About the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation was established in 1994 and is directed and funded by the insurance industry. The Industry Foundation helps communities and enriches lives by uniting the collective strengths of the industry to provide grants, volunteer service and leadership. The Industry Foundation has contributed over $21 million and 179,000 volunteer hours to community nonprofits. IICF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.