Navigating sticky floors and glass ceilings: Barriers and opportunities for women's employment in natural resources industries in Canada

Abstract

AbstractWomen make up almost half the Canadian labour force and more than 50% of post‐secondary students. However, in natural resources (NR) industries (energy, mining, forestry), they represent less than 20% of the workforce, face persistent wage gaps, hold traditionally gendered roles (in sales, administrative and support services) instead of technical or managerial positions, and are persistently absent from leadership roles. Retention of women is also a big challenge in these industries: many tend to leave their jobs within the first five years of employment, and/or after one or more maternity leaves. Women are very poorly represented in leadership positions (as senior executives and board members) despite significant evidence that gender diversity in leadership is good for business. Findings from our study of the status of women in NR employment in Canada produced concrete policy recommendations for recruiting, retaining, and promoting women in energy, mining, and forestry. Although these are intended specifically for Canadian organisations, they may also be relevant for other countries where women are underrepresented in NR industries.