A new Gallup Poll suggests that gender bias is still a part of the American workplace. Not only are females paid less on average for the same job in the U.S., new Gallup Poll data published October 14th shows that Americans remain more likely to say they would prefer a male boss (33%) to a female boss (20%) in a new job, although almost half (46%) say it doesn’t make a difference to them. These figures are derived from Gallup’s annual work and education poll, conducted August 7-10, 2014.
Of interest, although women are more likely than men to indicate they would prefer a female boss, they are still more likely to reply they would prefer a male boss as a group.
Historical data
Gallup first asked the question, “If you were taking a new job and had your choice of a boss, would you prefer to work for a man or a woman?” back in 1953. Then, a solid two-thirds (66%) of Americans replied they preferred a male boss. Only 5% said they preferred a female boss, and 25% opined that gender made no difference.
25% of women say they prefer a female boss
Data from the survey showed that despite all the efforts toward gender equality we see today, women remain more likely to prefer a male boss to a female boss. That said, women have historically been more likely than men to prefer a female boss, although the preference for a female boss has increased in both groups over time. As of 2014, one-quarter (25%) of women say they would prefer a female boss, compared with just 14% of men who say the same thing.
Of note, the figure for women who would prefer a female boss has never been above 30%. In this year’s survey, both genders indicated they would prefer a male boss, with 26% of men and 39% of women saying they would rather have a male boss if they had a new job. Males are also more likely than females to say they have no preference, 58% replied they had no preference, compared with just 34% of women.
Over half of Americans have a male boss
The 2014 survey also reported that just over half (51%) of working Americans currently have a male boss, whereas only 33% have a female boss. Moreover, those with a female boss are more likely than those with a male boss to say they would rather have a female boss if they got a new job at 27% compared to 15%, respectively.
