In recent years, the tech industry has given us artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotech, virtual reality and even smart toilets, but while the sector might be lightyears ahead in innovation, new data suggests it’s stuck in the past when it comes to equal opportunity for women.

Cyber firm Acronis’s latest report, FOMO at Work: The Opportunity Gap Between Men and Women in Tech, found that while men generally view the industry as more equitable, women still report significant barriers tied to bias, work-life balance, and leadership opportunities.

In what will probably not be a shock to women working in tech, only 60% believe they have equal access to career development and growth, compared to 75% of men, with more than a third (38%) saying that their career opportunities are not equal to male peers.

The study, which polled 650 tech pros from eight countries, found that women in tech have to navigate a range of obstacles which men often don’t have to think about, everything from missing career-defining events due to family responsibilities to the pressure of working longer hours.

Almost two-thirds (63%) of women said that navigating a work-life balance significantly impacts their career progression, while only 49% of men agree. More than half (52%) of women are concerned about missing work because of family responsibilities, a pressure felt by only 42% of men.

To make up for what their employer sees as ‘lost time’, 67% of women feel compelled to work longer hours to keep their career on track, while only 56% of men are burning the midnight oil alongside them.

Age-old stereotypes, which should by rights already be long binned, are putting off the next generation of tech stars, too. 

Acronis found that 41% of women identify bias as the biggest barrier to more women pursuing leadership roles in tech, while the same number of women (41%) said these same biases are keeping women from even beginning cybersecurity careers.

The study found that inequities remain deeply embedded in tech workplace culture, with men (unsurprisingly) tending to underestimate the weight of systemic barriers faced by their female coworkers.

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While it’s not easy to overcome these embedded roadblocks, it is important to highlight them and make some positive changes. Among those, women overwhelmingly (82%) favour seeing more female leadership across the tech industry, people who could both positively impact workplace culture now and champion the cause in future.

“For companies across the tech sector, highlighting women role models, addressing bias directly, and fostering inclusive cultures can benefit the entire industry,” said Melyssa Banda, senior VP at Seagate Technology.

“The opportunity now is to turn these insights into action that can drive innovation and create a workplace where everyone can thrive.”