Why are there more women than men working in HR?

4 Comments

1. Michele LaCagninaDecember 4,2024 at 3:05PM UTC

   Lots of reasons having to do with stereotypes. HR is considered a support function vs. a strategic function. The perception that women have better soft skills. Perception of lower pay. Lots of bureaucracy and required knowledge of employment law. I'd suggest that keeps a lot of men away from HR.

2. AyianDecember 4,2024 at 3:06PM UTC

   Part of this is corporate psychology that HR is more 'women's work', so they are more favorable toward hiring women. Part of this is undervaluing HR salaries, so more men will decline the offer than women. Part of this is cultural conditioning of women vs men to accept or even appreciate drama and/or gossip in the workplace, which is so often present around reprimands, promotions, pay, and benefits. There are other factors, but I think these are the foremost.

   There's no easy answer and the weight given to each of these contributing factors varies from organization to organization.

3. AnonymousDecember 4,2024 at 3:09PM UTC

   I don't know that to be the case, but I do know there are more male CHROs then females. I work with an HR program and see that all the time.

4. Titra HamiltonDecember 4,2024 at 6:16PM UTC

   Mentors advised me to "stay close to the mission" and "align with revenue generating roles". HR is overhead, a business function that can get reduced if necessary. I have worked for companies that restructured or reduced HR functions every year or outsourced it completely. HR was one of the first functions I saw performed 100% remotely, making it attractive to working mothers. Perhaps, these factors contribute to fewer men in HR.