A new survey of tech workers in the UK reveals that nearly a quarter (72%) of women in tech roles have experienced at least one form of sexism at work.

This is according to System Update: Addressing the Gender Gap in Tech by the Fawcett Society and sponsored by Virgin Media O2, which went for the jugular in terms of tackling the cultural issues exacerbating sexist inequalities in the tech sector.

Of those 72%, women cited being paid less than their male colleagues, sexism described as ‘banter’ (22%), and the questioning of their skills and abilities (20%) as the top three forms of sexist behaviour they’ve endured in the sector.

The figures get worse for Black and minoritised women, who experience additional levels of exclusion, with nearly three in four having experienced racism at work, on top of the sexism already cited.

Further, a third of Black women in the sector have been assumed by colleagues to not hold a technical role.

The survey itself held interesting information regarding the landscape of women tech workers: It surveyed 1438 people, including men and women, and had in-depth conversations with 21 women who either currently work in a tech role, have left tech, or work outside of tech.

Those who work outside of tech had STEM qualifications equivalent to A level or above, and thus represented a pool of untapped STEM talent that refrained from a tech role.

The report also highlighted the intersectional issues surrounding tech, and the feelings of women towards different “women in tech” initiatives.

Intersectional Differences

Those with intersectional identities were more likely to report barriers and cultural discrimination in the workplace.

Despite Black and minoritised women outside of tech – with relevant qualifications – being more interested than their white counterparts (59% compared to 31%) to work in tech roles, they were more likely to report biased and unfair recruitment practices include condescension at an interview, and unexplained rejections.

Further, Black and minoritised women, as well as disabled women, and lesbian and bisexual women, were less likely to report feeling comfortable in their workplace.

72% of Black and minoritised women experienced racism as work, and 73% of disabled women experienced ableism at work, on top of the 72% of women overall experiencing sexism at work.

The compounding discrimination and inequalities are hitting those with intersectional identities the most.

Workplace Culture

Over a quarter of women outside of tech (26%) also said that there is more sexist behaviour in tech work than in other types of work.

The feelings of men in tech seemed to corroborate this perception, with 19% saying “women are naturally less well suited to tech roles than men” as a reason why fewer women work in the sector.

Women outside of tech agreed that tech had a ‘laddie’ and toxic ‘tech bro’ culture, turning them off from entering the sector.

Flexible working is always a topic when discussing workplace inequalities with women, but both men and women cited flexible working as important when looking and keeping a job.

Recommended reading

• Why Are Women Leaving Tech? Instead, Ask Why They Should Stay
• Number of Women in Tech Drops Amid Skills Gap
• Five Barriers Obstructing Women in Tech

Despite this, women were more likely to cite that flexible or part-time work options were not often provided after a return from maternity leave, and that flexible work was not normalised in their workplace culture.

More women (22%) than men (15%) also cited caring responsibilities as a reason to leave the workforce, again highlighting how these are overarching societal pressures.

Perceptions on DEI Initiatives 

The survey also highlighted how women in tech feel about the ‘progress’ being made in the sector.

Women who have worked in tech for the last ten years did speak of slow progress, but others cited companies’ ‘diversity‘ cultures as performative.

Some said there was an over-emphasis on outreach and education, which does not fix internal workplace practices.

Women also were not in agreement about the term ‘women in tech’ – some thought it fostered community, but others found it ‘othering’.

In the tech sphere, women found themselves being blamed for male colleagues’ mistakes, and perceived as a diversity hire, and these figures rose for Black women surveyed.

The survey raises important issues surrounding the tech sector as it stands, including how sexism, racism, and ableism is affecting women in the workforce, and the need for intersectional approaches.

It provides a much needed reflection of the workplace tech culture, and how the route of the issue continues to revolve around active and institutionalised sexism.