Springfield Tech Industry Workplace Survey Report 2024
The 2024 survey is presented by Springfield Women in Technology with Springfield Tech Council as the presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include CNH Reman, SRC, Jack Henry, Associated Electric Coop Inc., and efactory. A research summary of tech worker experiences and attitudes in Southwest Missouri prepared by Habitat Communication Culture.
Springfield Tech Council is excited to share insights from the 2024 Tech Workplace Survey Report. This research provides crucial takeaways for tech employers in southwest Missouri, highlighting key strategies for attracting and retaining talent in our rapidly evolving industry. More than 300 people took the 2024 survey (Male 52%, Female 47%, Non-binary >1%). The results release event was held at the efactory on November 19, with fifty in attendance.
Here's a peek into the key theme highlights along with the conclusion:
Compensation, Salary, and Negotiations: Salary negotiations are a key area where women in the tech industry face significant challenges, with many expressing discomfort and uncertainty about the process. Across both survey results and focus group discussions, a recurring theme was the lack of transparency around salaries and the difficulty women experience when advocating for better pay.
Work-Life Balance, Flexibility, and PTO: Work-life balance and flexibility emerged as critical factors for women in the Springfield tech industry. The survey revealed that women in tech are particularly interested in mentoring programs, professional training, and continuing education. It's time to invest more in these areas to ensure our workforce feels valued and empowered.
Opportunities for Growth and Mentorship: Survey and focus group data show that many women feel they’ve “peaked” in their careers and want more mentorship and development options. While committed to tech, they often feel stuck without clear advancement paths. Interestingly, some, though aware of plateauing, are content and not actively seeking change.
Discrimination and Bias: Discrimination and bias, which was a central topic of last year’s research, remained as recurring themes in both the survey responses and focus group discussions. Women in our region’s tech industry consistently reported feeling that they were treated differently because of their gender, with some experiencing outright discrimination and others describing more subtle forms of bias in their workplaces. The data points to a significant gender gap in how women and men perceive and experience bias, particularly when it comes to opportunities for advancement, workplace treatment, and compensation.
The Effects on Retention: Survey results and focus group discussions revealed that, while women are committed to their roles, many feel that the industry isn’t doing enough to support them for the long term. Several factors, including lack of growth opportunities, workplace culture, and gender bias, play significant roles in women’s decisions to stay or leave their positions.
Contrary to the common belief that women are more likely to leave tech roles early, both survey and focus group data suggest that women are eager to stay in the tech industry. In fact, many women expressed a deep commitment to their work and the tech field, with participants in the focus groups stating that they enjoy the problem-solving aspects of their jobs and are passionate about making an impact in their communities through technology.
The sense of community and support that area women have found in tech groups or professional organizations outside of their immediate workplace is a net positive in terms of retention. Several focus group participants mentioned the importance of women’s networking groups and mentorship programs that provided them with the support and encouragement they didn’t always receive from their employers. These external networks helped women feel connected to a broader community, which in turn supported their decision to stay in the industry
Conclusion The findings from this report underscore both the challenges and opportunities that exist within Springfield’s tech industry when it comes to supporting and advancing women. The data, derived from surveys and focus groups, reveals systemic barriers that hinder women’s progress, such as the gender pay gap, limited access to leadership roles, and the persistence of discrimination and bias. These issues are not unique to Springfield but reflect broader national trends in the tech industry, where women continue to face similar obstacles to their professional development and job satisfaction.
Despite these challenges, the commitment and passion demonstrated by the women in our region’s tech community are clear. They value their work and the contributions they can make to the industry, yet without changes in workplace policies, mentorship opportunities, and support systems, their retention remains at risk. Women prioritize flexibility, mentorship, and inclusive workplace cultures over salary alone, and companies that address these priorities are more likely to attract and retain female talent.
The report provides actionable recommendations for Springfield’s tech employers, including increasing salary transparency, expanding remote work options, investing in formal mentorship and leadership development programs, and creating more inclusive workplace cultures. By addressing these areas, Springfield’s tech companies have the opportunity to set themselves apart, ensuring long-term growth and innovation by fostering a diverse and empowered workforce.
Ultimately, the future success of Springfield’s tech industry depends on its ability to support all of its professionals, particularly women, by dismantling barriers and building environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. With targeted efforts and a commitment to change, Springfield can become a leader in promoting gender equity in tech, creating a more inclusive and dynamic industry for years to come.
Access the PDF full report, which includes actionable recommendations for both organizations and individuals to consider.
