Ireland losing out on future female talent amid early workplace exits

Research has uncovered how gender-related challenges could be hindering women's potential for leadership roles in the Irish workplace. Balance for Better Business (BFBB), a review group for workplace equality, published a report revealing that women aged 50 to 65 are more likely to leave the workforce earlier than men, potentially limiting the pool of experienced talent for senior positions.

Despite Irish women's high workplace participation rates, the research indicates a larger gender participation gap in the 55 to 65 age group, coinciding with when professionals typically reach senior executive and board-level roles. Women face issues such as menopause, caregiving responsibilities, burnout, workplace ageism, and career progression barriers.

With women accounting for 61% of unpaid carers in Ireland, many are balancing work with caring for children or ageing relatives. Employers are advised to provide flexible working arrangements, enhanced workplace support, and policies to encourage balanced caregiving responsibilities. The report also underscores the prevalence of age-related discrimination among workers over 55, with over 90% experiencing it.

More than one-third of women have considered leaving their jobs due to menopause symptoms, and 9.2% have already done so. BFBB's co-chairs, Carolan Lennon and Bernard Byrne, emphasize the importance of retaining experienced women as a strategic priority, noting that such retention is crucial for achieving balanced leadership, enhancing business competitiveness, and fostering diverse leadership pipelines.