41% of business with overseas staff say they provide enough gender-specific support, research finds

Fewer than half (41%) of organisations with overseas staff believe they provide adequate gender-specific support, according to research by Towergate Employee Benefits.

Only a third felt line managers were equipped to offer this support, and just 34% measured its success.

Sarah Dennis, head of international at Towergate Employee Benefits, said that women working abroad often face different challenges compared to both their male colleagues and those based in the UK.

She emphasised the need for employers to recognise these differences and put measures in place to address them.

Cultural differences can create specific difficulties for women working overseas.

In some regions, social norms restrict interactions between men and women, making it harder for female employees to network or socialise in the same way as their male counterparts.

In the Middle East, for example, a British woman might find herself more limited in social settings, and while legal dress codes have changed in many areas, wearing clothing considered ‘immodest’ can still cause issues.

Safety is another key concern, with employers encouraged to ensure their female staff are well-informed about local customs, personal security, and emergency services in their host country.