Chantilly, VA- The Women in Cable & Telecommunications (WICT) Foundation today announced that the 2005 PAR Initiative survey has been distributed to cable operators and programmers throughout the country.  The survey, conducted in partnership with Working Mother Media, measures the advancement of women in the cable and telecommunications industry as defined by progress in the areas of Pay Equity (P), Advancement Opportunities (A) and Resources for Work/Life Support (R). The survey submission deadline is May 27, 2005.

The WICT Foundation released the results of the 2004 PAR Initiative in November of 2004, including the Best Companies for Women in Cable lists, an executive summary and report, an industry scorecard, a confidential scorecard for participating companies and a prescriptive to aid companies in their efforts to advance women.  Cox Communications, Inc. was the 2004 recipient of the Forerunner Accolade for the Best Operator for Women in Cable.  Discovery Communications, Inc. was the 2004 recipient of the Forerunner Accolade for the Best Programmer for Women in Cable. 

Companies interested in participating in the PAR Initiative have until May 27, 2005 to complete the survey.  The results will be released during the week of November 14, 2005 as part of the 21st Annual WICT Foundation Benefit Gala, which will be held on November 16, 2005.  The survey and additional information are available at www.wict.org.

Some of the key findings of the 2004 PAR Initiative:

• Women account for over 38% of the employee population at participating companies, and 38.4% of all managers. Compared to 2003, the percentage of women as employees of cable companies remained stable, while the percent of managers increased from 29% in 2003 to 38.4% in 2004. The addition of the category of “first line supervisors” at this level turned out to have a 40% proportion of women, which helped to increase the numbers. 
• Women of color account for 13.5% of all cable employees and 8.55% of all managers.  Similarly, the number of women of color cable employees remained stable (13% in 2003, 13.5% in 2004) but women of color managers increased from 6.5% in 2003 to 8.55% in 2004. 
• The percent of women middle managers increased from 19.7% in 2003 to 34.1% in 2004. 
• The representation of women at the senior level of management stayed nearly level: 27% in 2003; 26.6% in 2004. In the industry, women of color gained at the senior level: 2.9% of all senior executives in 2003; 3.4% in 2004.   
• In 2003, 65% of companies had no formal pay equity policy.  In 2004, 40% had no formal pay equity policy.  In 2004, only 5% of companies conduct no internal pay equity surveys. 
• 85% of companies provide leadership training for mid-level and high ranking women.  80% provide leadership training for entry-level women.
• 50% of companies offer formal mentoring company wide; 25 % offer formal mentoring only at company headquarters. 
• 80% of companies offer flextime (70% in 2003) 
• 50% offer full-time telecommuting (50% in 2003) 
• 55% offer career track part time positions (45% in 2003) 
• 50% offer job sharing (55% in 2003) 
• 75% offer elder care referral (55% in 2003)

About the WICT Foundation
The WICT Foundation is responsible for the advocacy initiatives of Women in Cable & Telecommunications (WICT), the oldest and largest professional association serving women in the cable and telecommunications industry. The WICT Foundation serves as a catalyst for industry change through research, development, advocacy and education. Its current effort, the PAR Initiative, measures and supports the advancement of industry women against the following standards: Pay Equity, Advancement Opportunities and Resources for Work/Life Support. Groundbreaking programs such as the PAR Initiative, and other WICT Foundation research on issues such as work/life balance and the business case for gender diversity, have inspired industry-wide advancements for women.

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