Clean-suited worker at Pinella DOE plant in 1979 developing and producing neutron generators for nuclear weapons initiation. Photo: Time Life Pictures/Department Of Energy (DOE)/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images
Women have a higher level of underrepresentation in all levels of employment in companies in energy and related industries compared to other sectors.
Where it stands: About one-third of women in oil and gas, utilities and engineering jobs surveyed by consultancy McKinsey say they're usually the only woman in the room.
- That's often an invitation for systemic challenges and micro-aggressions in the workplace, they found.
By the numbers: The survey found for women in energy, resources, and infrastructure (ER&I) jobs...
- 38% of women said they needed to provide more evidence of competency compared to 15% of men in their field.
- 41% of the surveyed women have had their judgement questioned in their area of expertise, compared to 39% of men.
- 42% of women of color believe they missed out on a promotion because of their race, compared to 3% of white women.
Methodology: McKinsey reviewed 30 companies and survey data from 6,000 respondents in the ER&I sectors.
Go deeper: Women won't see equal pay for another 257 years, report says