Report one: Flexible Working versus The Great Resignation 

Released in the midst of rising resignation rates, this debut report focuses on one of the most powerful policies for attracting, nurturing, and retaining the women all workplaces need to thrive:

  • Get the data behind the demand for flexible working 
  • Find out which flexible-working policies women want and need
  • Understand the power of these policies for both women and workplaces alike 
  • Explore the specific policies that leading employers are offering
Illustration of a screen with a survey on it, overlapping the screen to the left is a speech bubble with text boxes and lines, overlapping the right of the screen is the WORK180 Endorsed Employer badge

What is flexible working?

At its best, flexible working allows employees to work within hours, patterns, or locations that suit their needs. The result of flexible working is a healthy work-life balance, which means employees bring their best selves to work — wherever that may be.

By offering and promoting flexible arrangements for all, employers can;

  • remove physical and metaphorical workplace barriers for women and underrepresented individuals;
  • normalize practices and destigmatize them for those who need them to thrive;
  • promote shared responsibility of unpaid care, which is crucial in the fight for gender equity.
Illustration listing ways to create a safe space; My employee experience, How our brand makes me feel, Best-loved benefits, Policies that need improving, Our company culture, What we should be celebrating, What we should be improving

Remember to listen to your employees at scale and develop a response which answers those needs – not any needs you may be making assumptions on. Assumptions are riddled with bias.

Sheree Atcheson Award-winning thought leader and member of the WORK180 DEI Board

Learn more about equity in the workplace

What is workplace equity?

Workplace equality means providing all employees with the same opportunities, resources, and level of support. While this may seem like the fair and right thing to do, equal distribution can exasperate disparities by advancing those who are already ahead. 

Workplace equity, however, creates a truly fair and equal workplace by first recognizing that everyone has different circumstances, lived experiences, and needs. Equity, therefore, takes into consideration the needs of individuals and allocates resources and opportunities in a way that will even the playing field and ensure all employees can thrive.

The benefits of equity in the workplace

Beyond the clear moral case for supporting the careers of all women, workplace equity is increasingly in demand from candidates and consumers alike. Workplace equity is therefore a prioritiy for most organizations in 2022, both in terms of employer and overall company branding. 

The business case for equity in the workplace is extremely strong. An equitable workplace allows for employees to thrive, which allows for businesses to thrive. It’s also an essential foundation for creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, which — as academic and industry research continues to prove — positively impacts the bottom line for businesses.

To find the facts and figures around achieving the benefits of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, take a look at our list of recommended reading and resources.

How to create equity in the workplace

There are many causes of inequity in the workplace, including sexim, ageism, ableism, and racism. Discrimination can be overt and intentional, or hidden deep within your company’s culture, structures, and systems. And for many, the workplace barriers increase as several different types of discrimination intersect and compound with one another. 

Achieving workplace equity is complex and needs well embedded objectives at every leel of the organization. A great place to start is capturing and understanding the voice of your employees – particularly those from traditionally under-represented communities.

About WORK180

Inspired by their own experiences of workplace discrimination, Gemma Lloyd and Valeria Ignatieva founded the first transparent job board for women. Almost a decade later, WORK180 is a thriving community and platform where women and marginalized groups access the information they need to make informed career decisions — and find workplaces that work for them.