IT sector advised that flexible working can attract women

Women are more likely to be attracted to IT jobs if organisations offer benefits such as flexible working, it has been claimed.

Maggie Berry, Director of womenintechnology.co.uk, said that including flexible-working practices can help firms appeal to women, who may be put off careers in the IT industry.

Measures such as these can 'help attract, develop and retain female talent at all levels - from graduates entering IT to women returning after a career break whose skills are invaluable to the industry,' she commented.

Ms Berry recommended that the sector should 'target female talent early on', as well as challenging preconceived notions about the IT industry being 'a man's world.'

She cited research undertaken by womeintechnology.co.uk and Microsoft that found around half of women with IT jobs believe other women think they are 'geeky' on account of their profession.