Female video game industry staff has dropped off significantly since 2006. Dropping from 12 percent to 4 percent since 2006, the number of females employed by UK based games developers has been declining steadily over the past four years.
The British Sociological Association, highlighting results found by the University of Liverpool PhD student Julie Prescott, believes that the reason for the decline is the long hours in the business.
The study involved a survey of women employed within the gaming industry. Of those surveyed, 43 percent of the 450 total claimed that their well-being had been negatively impacted by long hours spent working. 32 percent claimed that they had worked in excess of 45 hours a week, 22 percent between 45 and 55 hours and 10 percent claimed more than 56 hours a week.
79 percent of the women surveyed did not have children, while 69 percent were under the age of 35.
Prescott commented on several conditions and reasons present for the sharp decline. “Reasons given for intending to leave the industry tended to suggest women are dissatisfied with their organizations and working environment."
"Flexible working practices would not only improve the image of the industry as a family-friendly working environment, but could also assist in retaining more women, especially women with or considering having children.
"Changing workplace structures, as well as improving childcare provisions would enable both genders to have active careers."
Prescott also stated that only 35 percent of female industry employees have degrees, whereas the trade association TIGA’s 2009 report stated that 60 percent of women in the industry had degrees.
[Thanks GI.biz]
