It’s a corporate Australia-wide issue that representation of females in leadership is far exceeded by their male counterparts.
Whilst the hospitality industry is not immune from the challenge, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is investing in company culture to build a more sustainable model for gender diversity into the future.
IHG’s COO Australasia and Japan, Karin Sheppard acknowledges the gender gap in management level, particularly hotel general managers.
“This is an industry-wide challenge; to create a more diverse workplace and encourage more females into general manager roles,” she said.
“It can be difficult to balance commercial realities with contemporary life – women often take time out from their career for family responsibilities, but it is the responsibility of employers to adapt and create an environment and culture that acknowledges these considerations.”
IHG have implemented one of the most generous paid parental leave programs in the hospitality industry in Australia, offering six weeks paid leave after two years employment which is increases to 12 weeks as tenure grows – valid across 80% of its hotels and at corporate office level.
As a result, the company says around 95% of women return to IHG after parental leave.
“There is an even gender representation on the Asia, Middle East and Africa region (AMEA) Regional Operating Committee which Australia and New Zealand forms part of, with similar levels in my local leadership teams,” she said.
“This year we had a very encouraging 70% intake of women in our Future Leaders program (pictured) which identifies high potential talent – all of which have expressed a desire to become General Managers in the future.”
The 2015 Workplace Gender Equality report indicated that IHG’s gender pay gap is lower than both organisations of the same size and the accommodation/food service sector overall.
Despite the progress Sheppard believes there is more to be done.
“As we mark International Women’s Day it is important to celebrate some of the significant progress made to date,” she said. “Our aspiration is to create a culture that embraces diversity at all levels of the organisation and we remain committed to achieving this.”
IHG are set to open over 10 hotels over the next three years in Australasia and in a competitive environment for sourcing talent, the company is focused on investment in its employees.
“A strong diversity agenda is critical to the continued success of our business, as we seek to attract the strongest pool of talent to sustain the growth expected in this region,” Sheppard said.