Study Suggests Fathers of Daughters Hire and Promote More Women
New Danish research indicates that male managers' workplace behavior changes after having daughters. They are more likely to hire and promote women.
Male managers who become fathers to daughters tend to increase their hiring and promotion of women, according to new research from Denmark. The study analyzed nationwide data linking employer records with information about managers' families.
The findings, published in The Review of Economic Studies, focused on firms with a single manager per year, making that individual most likely to influence hiring and promotion decisions. The research found that male managers' hiring of female employees increased by 2.9% following the birth of a first daughter.
These changes were not limited to hiring alone. The study also observed that male managers were more likely to promote women, particularly those identified as more qualified. This resulted in a relative earnings increase of approximately 4.4% for women working under these managers.
Researchers suggest the phenomenon is linked to unconscious gender biases and increased empathy. They noted the shift occurs promptly and is unlikely to be a conscious effort to benefit their own daughters, as the advantages would materialize years later. The study also found no negative impact on firm performance.