Bad managers are pushing women out of the construction industry.
A report says 68% of women cite bad management as a reason for leaving, trumping even unequal pay. The exodus is costing companies talent and productivity while hurting profits.
- 87% want career growth opportunities.
- 84% believe their companies are trying to support them.
- 47% feel leadership programs prepare them for the next step in their careers in construction.
- 63% of companies report mentorship programs, but only 37% of women have participated.
The data comes from the “Building Better 2025: Rethinking Leadership in Construction” report from the Ambition Center for Construction Education and Research. It surveyed 775 women.
It recommends:
- Redesigning leadership development for the changing workforce and promoting psychological safety.
- Make sponsorship systematic and part of company culture.
- Clarifying what it takes to advance.
- Improving leadership culture.
“Women aren’t just looking for guidance— they need champions who will advocate for them in the rooms where decisions are made,” the report says.
