Working Women Abroad — Great Britain

Abstract

The number of women at work in the UK has increased significantly over the past 20–30 years. Women now constitute a substantial proportion of the total labour force. This increase has not been accompanied by a corresponding widening in the range of occupations typically followed by women. Most women professionals are still in traditional caring jobs although some are beginning to enter other professions in larger numbers. However the spread is still small and women are over‐represented in the junior grades of all professions. The equal opportunities legislation has created a climate for progress but has not brought dramatic changes in women's share of professional/top jobs. Women themselves and individual employers have had to create pressure for change. Women have reacted due to economic need as well as aspirations, whereas employers have reacted due to the skilled labour shortage. Major changes in equal opportunities legislation are unlikely in the foreseeable future because social issues concerning equality for women are not a high priority for this government. More effective is the European Economic Community Parliament. The EEC has put pressure on Britain to improve equality. To improve the situation in the short term different initiatives (e.g. equal opportunity, employment legislation, education) need to work together.

Citation

Hammond, V. (1986), "Working Women Abroad — Great Britain", Equal Opportunities International, Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 8-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb010440