Women in PR: Career breaks are breaking us

It is tough to mask my disappointment, yet every obstacle creates an opportunity for positive action. The message in the seventh Global Women in PR Annual Index is clear and it is our collective responsibility to do better. 

DE&I investment, the gender pay gap, and women in senior leadership roles are all in a precarious position. Previously, progress has been slow and steady but for the first time in seven years, several key markers are in decline. 

In partnership with Opinium, the insight agency I’ve worked with for nearly two decades, we measure the issues affecting women in the workplace, from barriers preventing women from assuming leadership roles to the working environment itself. 

PR is mirroring global trends 

Our industry is mirroring wider global trends, from the erosion of women’s rights to women choosing not to reach their potential because it feels too difficult. 

Last month, the founder of one of the biggest social media platforms called for more ‘masculine energy’.  

Closer to home, a male PR agency leader suggested that a desire for working from home indicated a lack of ambition. This simply isn’t true, and it’s not what we hear from our members. Having it all shouldn’t mean ‘doing it all’. 

• Amplifying female voices in public relations 

Organisations can do more to recognise gender inequality, offer flexible working practices, provide access to senior role models, and deliver meaningful training. 

Returning to PR after a career break 

This year’s index also includes a new section on career breaks, highlighting the impact on returnees. For women, the consequences are significant; including salary reductions, fewer promotions and role adjustments. It is also concerning that over a third of women took career breaks for mental health reasons. 

Last year, more than half of women reported facing harassment at work, and this year the trend continues. Not only are women encountering more harassment of various types, but more are choosing not to report it.  

Fear, lack of awareness, retaliation, and concerns for mental health and credibility all play a role. A third of women either left or were asked to leave their organisation after reporting harassment.  

Personally, I’ve lost count of the friends and connections who have had to sign NDAs and leave quietly after being wronged. 

A fifth of women say they would like to move out of PR/comms after 50. Many women seek more flexibility at work, and for the first time, 31 per cent of women favour compressed hours over part-time roles (24 per cent). 

• Surviving and thriving as an over-50s PR 

Despite flexible working being viewed positively, it remains tied to slower career progression. When asked how flexible working impacts their career, over a quarter (26 per cent) of PR professionals said it hinders their advances, an increase from 23 per cent in 2023. 

How to retain women in PR 

Retaining women in our industry doesn’t have to be costly; but it requires consideration. 

Avoid scheduling events, conferences, or important meetings during school holidays. Don’t begin in-person meetings or events before 9am, as it disproportionately affects women or those with childcare responsibilities.  

Being more intentional and making inclusivity a priority is a choice. Together, we can make it easier for two-thirds of our workforce and half of the population. 

• ‘I was given the best remedy to imposter syndrome’ 

Lack of family-friendly policies and caring responsibilities continue to impede women’s progression into senior roles. For women reading this, I can’t emphasise enough the importance of a strong professional network.  

As a CIPR Fellow, Chartered practitioner, and board member of Global Women in PR, I rely on my network for help and advice, and the support is always reciprocated or paid forward. It works. Find your tribe and nurture those relationships. 

For everyone, this isn’t just about fairness or what is right. Balanced businesses and boardrooms are more profitable. Let’s not regress – let’s double down and buck this current trend. 

Find out more 

Read the latest Global Women in PR Annual Index 

Claire Foster is a Chartered PR, CIPR Fellow and executive board member of Global Women in PR.