Women are backsliding in corporate growth, warns study

A new report from McKinsey and women’s advocacy group Lean In warns that women in corporate America are losing ground, receiving less support from employers, and showing lower ambition than men.

The findings follow a year of setbacks, including political pushback on diversity programs and stricter return-to-office rules that are hard on mothers. There is also a rising online nostalgia for stay-at-home “trad wives” lifestyles, notes Axios.

Only 54% of HR leaders now say advancing women is a priority at their organizations, down sharply from 88% in 2017.

The number drops further for women of color. Researchers also found a new ambition gap: 80% of women want a promotion, compared with 86% of men. At the entry level, women show even less confidence in their ability to move up.

The report links the shift to heavier household responsibilities, reduced workplace flexibility, burnout, and concerns that gender could slow advancement.

Companies are also scaling back diversity and recruitment efforts that once helped women move into senior roles.

The report concludes that progress is slipping and the setback is significant.