Gender equality at work an illusion to many

More than six in 10 Austrians believe in sexual equality at the workplace in their country.Research group Market said today (Thurs) it found that 63 per cent of Austrian employees put no trust in equal chances for men and women when it comes to salary figures and career chances.Market, which spoke with 400 Austrians, added its poll also shows that 54 per cent of Austrians are in support of the introduction of a mandatory quota for females.These results come on the back of an initiative for more women in leading positions.People’s Party (ÖVP) Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner and Social Democratic (SPÖ) Women’s Minister Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek said last month that the supervisory boards of 55 enterprises in which the Republic of Austria holds a majority stake must consist of at least 25 per cent women in two years and 35 per cent in 2018. The government coalition ministers argued that the decision may encourage private firms to follow the example.Only nine per cent of members of the supervisory boards of Austria’s 20 leading companies quoted on the Vienna Stock Exchange (WBAG) are female.