Meat industry gender equality study launched
Launched by networking group Meat Business Women, the survey is seeking data from meat companies in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and the US that will help generate robust data on women in the meat industry for the first time and identify strategies for making the sector more inclusive.
The survey is seeking data on the number of women employed at different organisational levels, their level of pay as well as barriers to career progression.
The findings of the survey will be published in a major new report on gender representation in the meat industry, to be unveiled at World Meat Congress on 12 June 2020 in Cancun, Mexico.
Laura Ryan, chair of Meat Business Women, said the report is “the first of its kind to measure gender diversity and career opportunities for women working in meat”.
“We have long been frustrated by the lack of reliable data on women in the meat industry,” she said. “By taking part in our survey, businesses will help create much-needed clarity on the contribution women make across the supply chain – and, importantly, where action is needed to improve representation. We are calling on everyone in the meat industry to get involved and contribute to this important piece of work, to help make our sector more sustainable and profitable.”
The survey will run from 16 March to 3 April and is open to companies from across the supply chain, including meat processors, packers, retailers, wholesalers and independent butchers.
Before going through the survey, it is recommended respondents have the following data to hand:
• The number of men and women at different levels in the organisation
• The % of women in each pay quartile
• The average age of women at the different levels
• Estimated staff turnover
Ryan added: “For the meat industry to remain successful in a tough market, it needs to attract the best talent and make the most of existing talent within its organisations. By submitting data for our state-of-the-nation report, businesses can play a vital role in identifying ‘glass ceilings’ and ‘broken rungs’, so we can remove barriers to gender equality together and set the meat industry up for long-term success.”
Businesses looking to submit responses can do so here: http://bit.ly/Meatbusinesswomen
Registration is now open for this year’s World Meat Congress. Taking place in Cancun, Mexico on 10-12 June, this year’s event promises an action-packed schedule. For more information or registration, click here.
