{"id":2109244,"date":"2026-03-06T13:13:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T13:13:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebusinessdesk.com\/westmidlands\/?p=2109244"},"modified":"2026-03-06T13:13:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T13:13:49","slug":"workplace-safety-and-inclusion-still-a-challenge-for-female-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebusinessdesk.com\/westmidlands\/news\/2109244-workplace-safety-and-inclusion-still-a-challenge-for-female-leaders","title":{"rendered":"Workplace safety and inclusion still a challenge for female leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Over two-thirds of female business leaders report continuing gender-based discrimination in UK workplaces, according to research released ahead of International Women\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n<p>The survey of 101 senior figures, commissioned by personalised workwear provider MyWorkwear, highlights ongoing concerns over safety and inclusion in offices and factories.<\/p>\n<p>Around 70% of respondents said they did not feel safe at work, citing issues such as personal security, lone working, lack of protection from bullying and harassment, and general physical safety.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, nearly 70% of women said they believed that pay equality had been achieved between sexes for equivalent work.<\/p>\n<p>Gayle Parker, commercial director at MyWorkwear said: \u201cWorkplace equality isn\u2019t just about pay. It\u2019s about safety, inclusion and ensuring women feel safe when they go, attend and come back from work. The results are clearly telling us that this is not the case, and firms need to take action to turn this worrying trend around.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe want to encourage the next generation of female leaders to believe they can achieve anything, and this must start with ensuring the workplace is safe, inclusive and that staff are fitted out with the right clothing. It\u2019s the basic things that can make such a huge productivity difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The survey also asked women what factors contributed to feeling like an equal team member. Equal pay topped the list, followed by opportunities for training and career progression. Access to appropriate women\u2019s workwear and internal recognition were also cited as key elements in fostering inclusion.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIll-fitting PPE and workwear might seem minor, but it sends a wider message about whether women are fully considered in workplace planning. As a workwear provider, we are engaged in regular conversations with hundreds of firms about the need for a wide range of women\u2019s workwear options. Our data shows a shocking 62% of women have been expected to wear men\u2019s fit or unisex fit items in the workplace at some point in their career.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is disappointing from bosses across the country, especially when you consider the vast amount of dedicated women\u2019s workwear that is available in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A new survey of senior businesswomen across the UK reveals that nearly 70% still experience discrimination at work, with concerns ranging from personal security to bullying<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":266702,"featured_media":2109245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"coauthors":[127717],"class_list":["post-2109244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news","tag-black-country","tag-coventry-and-warwickshire","tag-greater-birmingham","tag-shropshire","tag-staffordshire","tag-worcestershire"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Workplace safety and inclusion still a challenge for female leaders | TheBusinessDesk.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A new survey of senior businesswomen across the UK reveals that nearly 70% still experience discrimination at work, with concerns ranging from personal security to bullying\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, 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