ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the status of women in management in Canada to take stock of changes in women's participation in the workplace and recent initiatives on the part of employers to improve the roles and retention of women in managerial ranks. Compared to men, women are disproportionately represented in the part-time workforce, including part-time, contract and non-standard work arrangements. Canadian legislation to support women in the workplace is enshrined at the constitutional, federal and provincial levels. Federal employment and labour laws, such as the Canada Labour Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act cover less than 10 percent of the Canadian workforce. The chapter provides an overview of organizational initiatives intended to support women’s career advancement based on three pillars: empowering women, developing unbiased procedures, and building inclusive environments. In conclusion, improving the lot of women in management may require concerted effort on three fronts: government, employers and the general population.
