Behind the drop in women’s career confidence

Career confidence among women is plummeting, with only 41% of women across seven countries (including 1,200 respondents in the United States) saying they expect the gender pay gap will be closed for their generation. Fewer than half believe women in their generation will reach leadership roles equal to men. Consulting firm BSI says optimism about closing the gender pay gap is even lower in the U.S. One in five women say they anticipate ending their careers early because of health concerns, menopause or pay imbalances. “Women’s confidence about their prospects at work is in dramatic decline,” BSI Global Head of Health, Safety and Well-being Kate Field says. “There is an urgent need for intervention with a true culture of care.”