Women finding job barriers in bio-tech sector, U of S crowd hears

Rob Henderson brought sobering news to the University of Saskatchewan today about the career barriers women face in bio-technology.

In entry level jobs, women are paid $6,800 less than their male counterparts on average.

That may in part explain why the employment of women in bio-technology has fallen by 11.5 per cent since 2008, even though 60 per cent of post-secondary bio-tech graduates are women.

Those are among the findings of the organization Henderson runs, BioTalent Canada, which describes itself as the human resources partner of Canada's bio-economy.

Implications far-reaching

"We do find it disturbing, actively, because it shows that bio-tech isn't as welcoming or accommodating or as equitable for women as other industries," Henderson said.

The implications are far-reaching. Bio-technology covers a broad spectrum of the economy -- agriculture, energy, health and industry -- all using life sciences to develop new products and processes.

BioTalent Canada has also found that one third of bio-tech companies report skills shortages among staff, and 40 per cent said it had a negative impact on their company.

Henderson said another factor driving women away from the field is a lack of accommodation as they begin to have children.

"Companies are not being as accommodating in terms of considering things like work from home, flex hours etc.," he explained. "And that can be a turn-off for many women in terms of committing their career to a certain employer if those accommodations are not made."

I was probably a good ten, fifteen years into my career before I had an 'aha' moment and actually asked for something- Janice Tranberg, Executive Director, Sask Canola

He said women are leaving the small and medium-size enterprises that are the drivers of innovation, calling it a "huge brain drain" that could put Canada at a competitive disadvantage.

"I don't think that it was a big surprise," Janice Tranberg, executive director of Sask Canola, said of the findings, although the size of the wage disparity did surprise her.

She said one explanation may be some women's hesitance to state what they want, a tendency she would like to help change.

"I was probably a good 10, 15 years into my career before I had an 'aha' moment and actually asked for something," Tranberg recounted. In her case, it was a particular job she aspired to.

"And once I recognized I could ask, and better than that, once I ask I received, then there was no stopping me."

Still, Henderson said cultural awareness inside bio-tech companies is also important.

"Many of these are run by scientists. They aren't necessarily well-versed in [human resources]. And they may not understand how their own lack of attention of their own HR policies may be preventing them from accessing a very, very valuable labour market."

He's bringing that message directly to them.

Henderson is also helping to set up mentorship networks inside companies, to help them retain their female employees.