An investigation of gender equality issues at the executive level of the Northern Ireland public sector

This report presents the findings from stages one, two and three of a research project which investigates gender equality at executive level in the Northern Ireland (N.I) public sector. Stage one, which aimed to determine a base line for gender equality, identified a significant degree of inequality in the gender composition at executive level of the N.I. public sector. Stage two reports on a survey of attitudes of current and aspiring executives/senior managers with respect to a number of gender equality issues in the N.I. public sector, including enablers or facilitators and barriers to gender equality. Stage three reports on a series of in-depth interviews conducted with current and aspiring executives, both males and females, across the N.I. public sector. Building on the results of stage two, the interviews addressed a number of themes relevant to gender equality at executive level of the N.I. public sector: perceptions of the gender composition of senior boards; gender culture; flexible work arrangements; work life balance; opportunities for advancement; recruitment and progression (including personal attributes); opting out of career progression; benefits of a balanced gender board; and promoting gender equality at senior levels.