Increase in number of women in supervisory posts
Published: 4 June 2009
In Finland, the number of women working as immediate superiors has been increasing since 1984: currently, about 40% of wage and salary earners have a woman as their supervisor, while 63% of women have a female supervisor (Figure 1). The proportion of women working in supervisory positions has grown steadily since the 1984 Finnish Quality of Work Life Survey [1] was conducted, when only about one in four (26%) wage and salary earners had a female supervisor.[1] http://tilastokeskus.fi/tk/el/tyoolot_aineisto_en.html
The number of women working in supervisory positions has been growing continuously in Finland since 1984, according to the findings of the Finnish Quality of Work Life Surveys. Moreover, according to the European Working Conditions Survey, Finland is a leading country in this respect. The findings show that women are better than men in areas such as giving support, being more sensitive to employees’ feelings and encouraging them to study and develop further in their work.
In Finland, the number of women working as immediate superiors has been increasing since 1984: currently, about 40% of wage and salary earners have a woman as their supervisor, while 63% of women have a female supervisor (Figure 1). The proportion of women working in supervisory positions has grown steadily since the 1984 Finnish Quality of Work Life Survey was conducted, when only about one in four (26%) wage and salary earners had a female supervisor.
Figure 1: Workers with a female supervisor, by gender (%)
Source: Finnish Quality of Work Life Surveys, 1984–2008
Workers with a female supervisor, by gender (%)
Impact of educational level
Examined from the perspective of educational level, those with an upper secondary education have always been more likely than other workers to have a female supervisor. Among men, a high level of education increases the likelihood of working under a female superior. This trend has been growing and, today, as many as 19% of men with a third-level education work under female supervisors.
Finland leads the way
According to international comparisons, it is very common for women in Finland to work in supervisory positions. For instance, the Fourth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) in 2005 found that 39% of wage and salary earners in Finland had a female supervisor compared with an average of 24% of earners in the EU27. Thus, Finland clearly leads the way in this respect. This finding is not a new development and has also been visible in earlier [EWCSs](/search/node/ewco OR surveys OR ?oldIndex) in 1995 and 2000.
Gender differences
The characteristics of female supervisors differ somewhat from those of male supervisors (Figure 2). When the respondents of the Finnish Quality of Work Life Survey were asked about the characteristics of their immediate superior, women were found to be distinctly better than men in matters such as the following: providing support and encouragement; giving praise for good work performance; being inspiring; taking employees’ feelings into account; and, above all, encouraging them to study and develop further in their work.
However, the superior’s gender does not seem to be as significant in other areas, for example: in settling conflicts; in the division of responsibilities, in sharing information; in knowledge of work tasks; or in considering ageing employees. Female supervisors therefore seem to do particularly well in the areas of development, support for subordinates and taking employees’ feelings into account.
Figure 2: Characteristics of supervisors, by gender (%)
Note: * ‘Totally disagree’
Source: Finnish Quality of Work Life Survey, 2008
Characteristics of supervisors, by gender (%)
In general, workers are more satisfied with female than male superiors. This is evident from the survey question regarding the respondent’s satisfaction with their supervisor’s leadership. From a gender perspective, the opinions differ somewhat. In relation to female supervisors, some 26% of the respondents were very satisfied with their supervisor’s leadership, while 22% of respondents expressed their satisfaction with male supervisors. The respondent’s own gender is also significant: 31% of men and 25% of women were very satisfied working under female superiors. In contrast, 19% of women were very satisfied working with male superiors, compared with 23% of men. In general, therefore, employees seem to be more satisfied working under female supervisors, particularly male employees.
Commentary
These results offer some interesting new perspectives regarding the career development of men and women. It is encouraging to see that even if women are underrepresented in the highest positions of companies or organisations, a positive change is occurring at supervisory level. It is also encouraging from the viewpoint of the development of working life that the proportion of women who are working as superiors is increasing. The characteristics of female superiors – such as their ability to offer inspiration and to provide support and encouragement – are also highly significant for today’s working life.
Moreover, results like these are important in the literature of working life research. Until now, it has not been possible to describe the characteristics of female and male superiors and to evaluate their impact for work organisations. For example, in the Eurofound report – Women managers and hierarchical structures in working life – these characteristics are only estimated based on the findings of the EWCS and with the help of questions concerning the working community.
Anna-Maija Lehto, Statistics Finland
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (2009), Increase in number of women in supervisory posts, article.
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