QS firms need flexiblity

The chartered surveying profession is losing experienced qualified women, who are retraining to work in roles with more flexible hours, according to research published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Louise Ellison, research director at Kingston University, says there remains a strong perception amongst women trying to return to surveying that flexible conditions are simply not available to them. Many women surveyors are retraining as teachers or taking administrative roles to fit family responsibilities in around work.

She said: “Contrary to the myth that women leave surveying to have a family and then stop work, they are moving into other employment sectors. The drop-out rate amongst women surveyors after age 40 is known, but until now we didn’t understand why they were leaving.”

The report found that 43% of the female surveyors interviewed sited inflexible hours and rigid working conditions with the need to look after children as the main reason for leaving the profession. Some 39% admitted they needed to spend more time with their families, and 20% said the reason for leaving was restricted career progress and lack of opportunity in QS firms.

In contrast 40% of men interviewed said the pull of new work had enticed them to leave, 26% sited restricted career progress and lack of opportunity, and 23% blamed dissatisfaction with salary.

RICS chief executive Louis Armstrong said: “This is about wasted potential at a time when surveying firms need all the skills and experience they can get in a flourishing market. More imaginative, innovative and flexible options need to be offered by employers.”

She warned that this needs to be adopted by all QS firms.