Research shows what women want from work | 2-minute video

What do women want from work?

Money, yes. Success, yes. Stability, yes. But so do men, and that’s not earth-shattering news.

There’s actually more than that to what women want from work, according to new research from one of our HRMorning experts.

What women want from work

While the topics of pay disparity and the glass ceiling often dominate conversations and news around women in the workplace, very seldom do discussions revolve around what women want from the actual work they do. Fortunately, that’s the area our expert, Lora Fish, explored — and was able to uncover some telling insight.

Turns out, what women want from work is a little different from what we traditionally find they want from their careers. The day-to-day grind at work obviously feeds into the career. But for work to be meaningful and fulfilling, women hope for some intangibles every day.

In this episode of HRMorning’s 3-Point, our expert shares the research she did with colleagues around what women want from their workplaces. You might be surprised to find out that they’re much more meaningful than money and perks. They want intangible, but ultimately more fulfilling elements. And the best employers can — and will want to — provide them.

Click, watch and listen for more details on what women want in their workplaces.

Transcript (edited for clarity):

What do women want?

Mel Gibson might have thought he figured it out in the 2000 movie “What Women Want.”

But when it comes to what women want from work, a pair of researchers have a very clear idea.

Fish: “There were three key things they were looking for. And those were a sense of purpose. A sense of trust. And a sense of humanity. Those weren’t words we gave them. Those were words they used — what they talked about.”

So, in this episode of the 3 Point, we won’t talk about the usual hot-button issues that swirl around women in work – things such as equal pay and glass ceilings.

Fish’s findings are about what women want from the work they do.

Now, more details on each of those. First, trust …

Fish: “What they were saying is I trust myself. They were looking for purpose, trust and humanity. They literally said that, ‘I trust myself more than I trust somebody else. I want to take control.’”

As for humanity …

Fish: “The women just felt great about being able to share their story, about being heard. And we feel that speaks to humanity. And that’s what they’re really craving”

And what’s behind purpose …

Fish: “What they meant is I have something to show for my efforts. There’s a reason I did that work. There’s a reason I did that work.”

Now you know what researchers say women want from their work. To help them achieve that, Fish suggests you:

• Build trust. It all starts here. Ask women in your workplace what this phrase: “we have your back” looks like to them.
• Show humanity. Just beyond trust is empathy and respect. You need to be certain front-line managers lead with those.
• Create purpose. This is more than a paycheck. Help women see how their work affects their career potential and your company’s greater good.

What women want from work isn’t extraordinary – although their contributions often are. Starting now, you can help them get what they want.