Gender diversity in senior management is becoming a decisive factor in where professionals choose to work, as job seekers increasingly scrutinize companies for the presence of women in leadership roles.
A new report from Grant Thornton shows that candidates are actively asking employers about gender balance in leadership and about programs that promote diversity before deciding whether to join an organization.
The Women in Business 2026 report found that 40.9 percent of Philippine companies encountered candidates raising questions about gender balance in senior management during the hiring process. The figure represents a 10.2 percentage point increase from the previous year and the largest jump among external factors influencing recruitment.
The trend suggests that professionals are looking beyond compensation packages when evaluating employers. Workplace culture, leadership diversity, and equal opportunities for advancement are now key considerations for many job candidates.
Nearly all businesses surveyed reported that gender equality initiatives are on their radar. About 97.7 percent of Philippine firms said they consider such programs within their organizations, while 71.6 percent classify them as a strategic priority.
According to Romualdo V. Murcia III, companies that embed gender equality into their leadership strategies tend to strengthen decision making and organizational resilience. Firms that demonstrate visible commitment to diversity also stand a better chance of attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive hiring environment.
The report shows gradual progress in representation. Women now hold 44.5 percent of senior management roles in the Philippines, an increase of 1.5 percentage points from the previous year.
Recent hiring patterns reveal another shift. Many women executives who secured senior roles in the past six months previously worked in companies with fewer than 50 employees, suggesting that smaller firms may offer clearer paths to leadership and greater visibility for rising female leaders.
