Occupational pressures in banking: Gender differences

A total of 220 managers from a banking organisation were surveyed. No differences for age, educational background, employment history or managerial level were found, but females were significantly more likely than males to be the first person of their sex to hold their particular managerial position. Women are significantly less likely to be married or to have children. They have significantly fewer children, and their children tend to be significantly younger than those of their male colleagues. Women still have to make choices that men do not in order to further their careers. Average scores for occupational pressures were not high for either sex. Men report higher levels of pressure stemming from the work environment and managerial relationships with subordinates and superiors. Women report significantly higher pressures stemming from perceived gender inequities and work‐life balance concerns. Discussion focuses on why women bank managers do not perceive the workplace as free of gender‐related and work‐life balance pressures.