Men support gender equality in the workplace more than women

A study by Michigan State University researchers reveals that male workers are even more willing to support women becoming CEOs than their female co-workers.

The finding, published in the journal Kyklos, highlights an association between higher job satisfaction and women becoming the chief executive of a company or organization.

Susan Linz, economist and co-author of the study, said:

“Promoting gender equality at the top has positive consequences for job satisfaction for both men and women. So it’s worth it for firms to create environments where women have opportunities to advance, as higher job satisfaction means higher productivity, higher revenues and a healthier bottom line.”

The study is the first of its kind to look at the link between advance promotion opportunities and job satisfaction at a time where women are beginning to reach the highest ranks in upper management.

Linz said:

“We find little evidence that men dislike working for a woman or view women’s advancement to upper-level positions as creating a more competitive work environment.”

In fact, men view a woman’s ascension in the career ladder as an indicator of their own opportunities. “In other words, if they can do it, I can do it.”

The study involved over 6,500 workers from 700 employers in former socialist countries: Russia, Armenia, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

The investigators asked the employees how likely a women could hold the position of director and linked their answer to their job satisfaction.

Despite results differing by country, the overall verdict was that both men and women support gender equality.

Linz concluded:

“Even in cultures where women may still not be considered equal, there is a positive link between job satisfaction and perceived gender equality – and it’s particularly strong among the younger generation.”