A third of major companies in Northern Ireland do not have any women in senior positions, while in half the remainder, women occupy fewer than a quarter of executive posts.
It could be a big mistake not to employ women in top positions, according to a survey conducted for the Institute of Directors and published last night.
"The more positive news for women is that it is the companies showing a growth turnover that have women in senior positions," said Mr Henry Saville, chairman of management consultants KPMG, which carried out the survey of 400 firms.
Ms Linda Brown, IoD Northern Ireland director, said the institute had given a lead to recognising the contribution of women at boardroom level. "Other organisations might now emphasise their value in other managerial and senior technical posts".
A warning was sounded for the government in regard to a minimum wage. The introduction of a minimum of £3.50 an hour at 20 plus "will affect the number of people employed by a fifth of the respondents", said the survey.
"A large proportion of clothing and textile manufacturers and companies companies experiencing negative growth indicated that the numbers that they would employ would be affected."
