A new international report has found that women make up only 36 percent of the meat industry workforce and are underrepresented at every level above junior positions. Women hold just 14 percent of board-level director roles and just 5 percent of chief executive roles, according to the study.

With fewer women in decision-making roles, the Meat Business Women organization warns that it could jeopardize the future success and sustainability of the meat industry. 

The independent report, commissioned by Meat Business Women, also found that businesses with more diversity were more successful overall. 

“This report should be a wake-up call for the meat sector. Our findings show just how much the meat industry is lagging behind other sectors, including grocery, when it comes to creating workplaces that attract and promote female talent,” says Laura Ryan, founder of Meat Business Women.

“In doing so, it is failing to reap the rewards that come from creating and nurturing a diverse workforce.” 

Women not reaching senior positions
The report identified several “broken rungs” in the career ladder that prevent women in the meat sector from advancing to more senior roles. It suggests women find it easier to pursue careers in marketing, finance, HR, R&D and quality fields – however those disciplines still rarely act as stepping stones into the most senior positions.

“Companies that have executive committees with female membership of at least 33 percent have a net profit margin over ten times greater than those companies with no women at that level. Fundamentally, businesses with diverse workforces are more profitable and have better share prices,” Ryan continues.

The new report, which draws on survey data from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and the US, highlights that the lack of formalized mentoring, networking opportunities and senior female role models is a particular source of frustration for women in the sector.

Women as role models
The report finds that visible role models who lead in an aspirational way help attract and retain talent within an organization. The report flags that by having relatively low numbers of women in senior roles, the meat industry gives the impression that leadership positions are either not available or not suited to women. 

Ryan says: “The message we’re hearing from women in the meat industry is loud and clear: they love the sector, they’re excited about the opportunities it offers and they want to help it succeed, but certain barriers exist. Together industry and Meat Business Women can break those barriers down.”

“The good news from our research is that there are lots of practical steps companies can take to improve gender representation and ensure female talent can thrive. It is our hope that the sector uses the insights from this report to better understand how it can create a diverse and inclusive workforce,” she adds. 

For example, the report highlights workplace flexibility as an essential enabler for creating an inclusive workplace. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged perceptions about what is possible, and greater workplace flexibility is becoming the norm. Creating working models that support women and men with family responsibilities is one of the most important actions that businesses can take to enable women to progress into leadership roles,” the study finds.