FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Richemont Appoints Van Cleef & Arpels’ Nicolas Bos as New CEOThe announcement coincided with its full-year results, with growth driven by its jewelry brands.
SurveysMay 03, 2019
Survey Shines a Light on Gender Issues in Jewelry Industry
It shows there is a gap between what goes on at companies and what gets reported to higher-ups, with employees often reticent to relay incidences of harassment, discrimination and inequality.
New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association just released the results of its first Gender Equality Survey, a survey it fielded last fall to gauge the prevalence of gender discrimination, sexual harassment and pay disparity in the jewelry industry.
Nearly 600 people, a mix of employees and owners, took the survey, which was conducted anonymously. Women comprised the majority of respondents, 91 percent of employees and 66 percent of owners.
Overall, the survey shows there is a gap between what goes on at companies and what gets reported to higher-ups. In many cases, employees are reticent to report incidences because they fear retaliation or have a negative impact on their standing in the company.
A total of 16 percent of employees who took the survey report they have been the target of unwanted sexual advances, but only 3 percent of owners said they’ve received complaints about such advances at their companies.
Twenty-three percent of employees have experienced sexual harassment, but only 5 percent of owners reported receiving harassment complaints.
Thirty percent said they’ve been denied equal opportunity for advancement, but, again, only 2 percent of owners said they’ve heard about it.
Thirty-eight percent of respondents—all female—said they have been affected by pay disparity but only 2 percent of owners said they’ve received complaints about unequal pay.
And half of all survey-takers reported having experienced a hostile work environment, defined in the survey as “conditions created by the gendered conduct of a boss, co-workers or others that unreasonably interfere with work performance or are intimidating or offensive.”
Thirty-nine percent said the hostile environment “affected [them] deeply,” but only 9 percent of owners said they’ve received complaints along those lines.
The survey also showed that in smaller companies (15 fewer employees or fewer), a significant percentage of employees and owners either don’t know what the company’s written policies are pertaining to discrimination, sexual harassment and gender equality, or, they reported, the company doesn’t have any.
A total of 52 percent of survey-takers who work for or own a company that has between one and five employees say they don’t know what the company’s gender-related policies are. And 44 percent of owners and 35 percent of employees in this group said their company doesn’t have a written policy.
Survey-takers who work for larger companies seem to have a better grasp on written policies involving harassment and discrimination, the survey shows.
Eighty-four
percent of respondents at companies with 301 to 1,000 employees and 92 percent at companies with 1,000-plus employees said they know what their companies’ policies are.
WJA deployed it first Gender Equality Survey worldwide and 586 people—240 employees and 346 owners/executives/board members/major shareholders—responded, 98 percent of whom were in the United States.
Here are some more facts about the survey-takers:
— More owners than employees responded, 59 percent versus 41 percent;
— A total of 70 percent of owners and 62 percent of employees have been in the industry for more than 10 years;
— Many are age 50 or older, including 69 percent of owners and 42 percent of employees;
— Seventy percent own small companies (15 or fewer workers); and
— Most worked it the retail end of the business.
WJA conducted the survey as a way to help the organization understand the most pressing gender-related issues in the jewelry industry and create programming around them.
Looking at the results of its first gender survey, WJA said it would provide training on negotiation and self-advocacy skills for employees who say they have been affected by pay disparity and/or denied equal opportunity for advancement, and offer bystander training, which involves teaching witnesses how to recognize, intervene and help victims of discrimination and harassment to report and seek support.
The organization also said it will be increasing the amount of training and materials it provides on gender-related workplace policies, particularly to the owners and employees of small businesses.
The training and materials will come in addition to the seminars WJA already has done at trade events and the online webinar on gender discrimination laws and regulations done in partnership with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
The full PDF of the WJA’s Gender Equality Survey can be seen here.
WJA deployed it first Gender Equality Survey worldwide and 586 people—240 employees and 346 owners/executives/board members/major shareholders—responded, 98 percent of whom were in the United States.
Here are some more facts about the survey-takers:
— More owners than employees responded, 59 percent versus 41 percent;
— A total of 70 percent of owners and 62 percent of employees have been in the industry for more than 10 years;
— Many are age 50 or older, including 69 percent of owners and 42 percent of employees;
— Seventy percent own small companies (15 or fewer workers); and
— Most worked it the retail end of the business.
WJA conducted the survey as a way to help the organization understand the most pressing gender-related issues in the jewelry industry and create programming around them.
Looking at the results of its first gender survey, WJA said it would provide training on negotiation and self-advocacy skills for employees who say they have been affected by pay disparity and/or denied equal opportunity for advancement, and offer bystander training, which involves teaching witnesses how to recognize, intervene and help victims of discrimination and harassment to report and seek support.
The organization also said it will be increasing the amount of training and materials it provides on gender-related workplace policies, particularly to the owners and employees of small businesses.
The training and materials will come in addition to the seminars WJA already has done at trade events and the online webinar on gender discrimination laws and regulations done in partnership with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
The full PDF of the WJA’s Gender Equality Survey can be seen here.
More on Surveys
The Latest
FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Watches of Switzerland’s Fiscal-Year Sales Flat Looking ahead, the retailer said it sees “enormous potential” in Roberto Coin’s ability to boost its branded jewelry business.
Recorded WebinarsMay 17, 2024
Watch: Preparing for Trade Show SuccessJewelry trade show veterans share strategies for engaging buyers, managing your time effectively, and packing the right shoes.
Brought to you by
Record Gold Prices Have Consumers Undeterred. Here’s Why.Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
AuctionsMay 17, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s Ring-Tailed LemurThis little guy’s name is Ricky and he just sold for more than $200,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction.
Weekly QuizMay 16, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Christie’s Holds 2 Sales Despite CyberattackThough its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Sotheby’s Withdraws 101-Carat Yellow Diamond from AuctionDespite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
Brought to you by
From Registration to Return: 10 Tips to Protect You Before, During and After a TradeshowTradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
ColumnistsMay 16, 2024
The PR Adviser: What the Designer Should’ve DoneLilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
SourcingMay 16, 2024
Lucapa to Shed Stake in Lesotho Diamond Mine The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
ColumnistsMay 15, 2024
Squirrel Spotting: Why Retailers Struggle to Fire BrandsWhy do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
AuctionsMay 15, 2024
Red Diamond Breaks Records at Phillips GenevaThe “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2024
See Who’s in JA’s 2024 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
IndependentsMay 15, 2024
David Mann Jewelers in Upstate NY to Close After 35 YearsOwner David Mann is heading into retirement.
FinancialsMay 15, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Sales Fall Flat in Q1 While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
SourcingMay 14, 2024
Anglo American Confirms It Is Looking to Sell De Beers The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
AuctionsMay 14, 2024
2 Huge Yellow Diamonds Are Heading to AuctionChristie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
MajorsMay 14, 2024
Platinum Born Taps ‘Born Leaders’ for New CampaignThe ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
GradingMay 14, 2024
Instappraise Adds Trifold Brochure to Appraisal OfferingsRetailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
Lab-GrownMay 13, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Lightbox Cuts Prices by 25 to 40%The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
TechnologyMay 13, 2024
Christie’s Website Brought Down by Hackers, Watch Auction Postponed The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
AuctionsMay 13, 2024
Madeleine Albright’s Jewelry, Pins a White-Glove Sale at Freeman’s | HindmanThe late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
IndependentsMay 13, 2024
Zachary’s Jewelers Names Mother’s Day Jewelry Contest WinnersThree fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
IndependentsMay 10, 2024
Frank Adams Jewelers Names New CEOKimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
CollectionsMay 10, 2024
Piece of the Week: Carina Hardy’s ‘Birth of Venus’ NecklaceAs a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
MajorsMay 09, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Pays $130M for Roberto Coin Inc.The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
TrendsMay 09, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shine Bright, Moms Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
