The second edition of the “Best Companies for Women in India” (BCWI) survey has found there has been a two-fold increase in women’s employee spectrum in the last one year. Conducted by AVTAR Group, a diversity advocate and workplace inclusion expert, and Working Mother Media, a gender-parity champion in the US, the study shows that the women employment count currently stands at 4,67,883 among the 100 BCWI as compared to 2,05,236 women employees last year.
The study aims to identify the best practices and policies followed by companies to increase women’s workforce participation. The second edition of the study surveyed 360 employers in the country and listed the 100 best companies for women.
In terms of the gender diversity ratio in the top 100 firms, there has been a 5-percentage point increase from 2016, with women forming 30.55 per cent of the workforce in 2017 (up from 25.25 per cent in 2016). This is substantiated by a significant increase in the hiring rates for women in these companies, at 36 per cent -- a 15 per cent surge from last year.
Expanding the canvas of their women-oriented initiatives, 38 per cent of the top 100 organisations this year provide support for women with postpartum depression and 20 per cent provide support for employees with autistic children. Some 67 per cent of companies have formal phase-back programmes (up from 52 per cent in 2016) to help young mothers reintegrate at work post maternity leave. The study says 40 per cent of companies across industries have formal programmes for returning women. In tune with the increasing pattern of millennial couples sharing familial responsibilities, 94 per cent of the top companies offer fully-paid paternity leave to their employees, the maximum being 56 days.
Gender balance
Commenting on the increase in the number of women employees, Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder–President, AVTAR Group, “Corporate India’s focus on recruiting and expanding their women employee base is laudable. Going by the data (a 5 per cent increase in women’s representation in one year), the Best Companies for Women in India may get to their goal of gender balance in another five-six years! While it is encouraging to note that many companies have introduced new policies to retain valuable women talent, this trend is yet to catch up in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and infrastructure. In the years to come, BCWI will further strengthen the ecosystem for women professionals in India Inc., raising the bar each year and catalyzing its journey to gender balance”
Subha Barry, Senior Vice-President & Managing Director, Working Mother Media, said: “We are delighted that BCWI has set a benchmark among companies to initiate more women-inclusive polices. Companies have recognized the need for having women in the workforce and have diligently worked towards introducing best practices and women-friendly policies.”
The list
The Working Mother and AVTAR Best Companies for Women in India 2017 report includes the list of 100 BCWI. Of these, the top ten are listed below, in alphabetical order (not rank).
• Accenture Solutions Private Limited
• Deloitte in India
• EY
• IBM INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
• Northern Trust Bank
• People Combine Educational Initiatives Limited
• Procter & Gamble
• Schneider Electric India
• Shell India Markets Pvt Ltd
• Tata Consultancy Services
The selection was based on data of highest-order granularity, spanning seven key policy clusters -- workforce profile, flexible work, women’s recruitment and retention, benefits, paid-time, company culture and safety and security, as provided by the respondent companies.
Here are the key findings of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India in 2017:
1. The top 100 companies together employ 4,67, 883 of women (up from 2,05,236 women in 2016) on an employee base of 15.36 Lakhs people.
2. Women form 30.55 per cent of the workforce (5 per cent up from the 25.25 per cent in 2016).
3. Women constitute 34.36 per cent of the workforce in the 2017 top ten companies for women in India (up from 32 per cent in 2016)
4. Of all the hires in 2017, 36 per cent are women (15 per cent up from the 2016–100 Best)
5. As much as 40 per cent of all hires were women.
6. Of the entry-level employees, 33 per cent were women (up from 22 per cent); 37 per cent of the entry level employees at Top Ten are women (up from 33 per cent).
7. Among the board of directors of the top 100 companies, 18 per cent are women (up from 15 per cent in 2016).
8. Women CEOs are at the helm of 15 per cent of the 2017-100 Best Companies.
9. Some 17 per cent of direct reportees to CEOs are women (up from 14 per cent in 2016).
10. In terms of being promoted to corporate executives, 2 per cent more women than men at the senior managerial levels were promoted at the 2017–100 Best Companies.