Statewide survey reveals workplace concerns for Utah women

Photo: Photo by CoWomen

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — A comprehensive statewide study examining Utah women in the workplace has revealed significant concerns about family-friendly policies, childcare access and gender pay equity, according to research released by Utah State University’s Utah Women & Leadership Project.

The study, conducted between Oct. 1 and Nov. 19, 2025, surveyed 5,212 Utah participants using an 83-item questionnaire covering workplace culture, childcare programs, gender pay disparities, and discrimination.

“For those who want to more deeply understand the perceptions and attitudes around the challenges Utah women and girls face, this 39-page report contains a significant amount of critical data that can help,” said Susan Madsen, UWLP founder and director and professor of organisational leadership in the USU Jon M. Huntsman School of Business.

The research represents the third year of data collection, allowing researchers to track changes in attitudes and perceptions over time.

Workplace policies fall short

While 63% of Utah workers reported their employers offer at least some family-friendly policies, 37% were unsure or disagreed that these policies met their needs. Survey responses averaged 5.05 on a seven-point agreement scale when asked if organisations offered adequate family-friendly policies.

“Although it is great that many Utah companies have family-friendly policies, so many of our residents, including those among our most vulnerable, don’t have the workplace policies they need to properly support their families,” Madsen said.

Approximately 45% of open-ended responses expressed concerns about limited opportunities for advancement or called for equal opportunity regardless of gender. One survey participant wrote, “I’ve worked with several companies that say they support gender equality, then completely skip women for promotions and advancements.”

Childcare challenges persist

The study found strong agreement that the government has a role in addressing childcare issues in Utah, with responses averaging “somewhat agree” to “agree” at 5.54 on a 7-point scale. Only 9.1% of participants disagreed at any level.

Agreement was highest among women, individuals ages 25-39, those with higher education and income levels, and full-time employees and students. Residents of the Wasatch Front and rural regions, particularly Garfield, San Juan, and Salt Lake counties, showed stronger agreement.

“Utah claims to be a family-friendly state, but does little or nothing about available and affordable childcare,” one participant stated.

Madsen said Utah families face significant challenges in accessing, affording, and evaluating childcare quality.

Gender pay gap recognized

Most Utah respondents acknowledged the existence of a gender pay gap, with the combined samples showing a mean agreement of 5.78 on the seven-point scale. Only 7.6% of participants disagreed at any level, while 2,174 strongly agreed and 1,695 agreed or somewhat agreed.

When asked specifically if Utah women earn less than their male counterparts with similar experience, education, and position, 1,936 participants strongly agreed, and 1,829 agreed or somewhat agreed. Only 8.5% disagreed.

“The results make it clear that most Utahns understand the gap is not a myth and that it is not all about women’s own choices,” Madsen said.

One survey respondent wrote, “Regarding pay, men in Utah think they don’t have to pay as much to a woman because they’ll just get married, pregnant, and leave. I’ve heard that several times as the reason I wasn’t promoted or paid as well as my male counterparts.”

Trust in harassment reporting questioned

Responses regarding trust in organisations to appropriately handle sexual harassment reports averaged 3.31, slightly below the midpoint of “neither agree nor disagree.” About 60% of Utah respondents selected a level of disagreement or ambivalence, while 18.2% chose “somewhat agree,” and 21.7% chose “agree” or “strongly agree.”

“The findings tell us that sexual harassment and other types of gender-based discrimination against women are serious concerns for Utahns,” Madsen said.

One participant noted, “I think there are still a lot of gendered expectations placed on Utah women. It puts unfortunate personal tension on them, where their ambitions may not match cultural norms.”

The research supports “A Bolder Way Forward,” a statewide movement focused on ensuring Utah girls, women and families thrive. April Townsend, UWLP research fellow, co-authored the report.

The first white paper is the initial release in a five-part series. The UWLP is affiliated with USU Extension.