Gender diversity. If you haven’t heard this buzz term yet, it is hot on the trails of becoming a workplace norm.
Gender diversity is the fair representation of genders. In effect, diverse groups with contrasting backgrounds, education, and experiences heed greater solutions to complex issues. In this case, the focus lies heavily on female representation in the workplace.
Gender diversity is not a new concept. It’s taken form in several different social justice movements like the equal pay movement and the suffrage movement. In other words, gender diversity continues to evolve as social movements occur in the name of equality.
There is an increasing value placed on gender diversity and the influence of women in the workforce. This is evidenced by the growing number of companies that seek, celebrate, and reward female presence. These companies are paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse workplace, one in which both men and women can thrive.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the best companies for women and what makes them stand out.
What Does Gender Diversity Look Like in the Workplace in 2022?
The definition of workplace diversity has evolved over the years, with gender diversity now being one of the key factors. In 2022, experts believe that gender diversity will be the norm in most workplaces. Here are a few things to look for to spot a workplace that embraces this:
- Look for women-led companies with a female CEO.
- Check to see if the company has a board of directors that is at least 30% women.
- See if there are gender-neutral bathrooms available.
- Gauge how the company handles parental leave, both for mothers and fathers.
- Look for companies that offer benefits such as flexible work hours, remote work options, and childcare subsidies.
The Importance of Women in the Workforce
There are many reasons why it is important to have women in the workplace. Here are some of them:
- Women bring new perspectives to the table.
- Women are more likely to be caregivers and, therefore, can provide valuable insights into working flexibly or remotely.
- Diverse teams perform better than homogeneous teams.
- Women are more likely to reinvest their income back into their families and communities.
- Women have the ability to drive change and create a more inclusive society.
The Best Companies for Women in the Workplace
BestCompaniesAZ recognizes these best companies for women in the workplace working towards gender diversity at all levels of business. These companies may be headquartered in another state but they also have main offices and multiple locations in Arizona:
- Axon
- American Express
- Farmers Insurance
- Freedom Financial
- GoDaddy
- KUBRA
- Spear Education
- Upgrade
- Workiva
- Ryan, LLC
- Voya Financial
Farmers Insurance
Founded: 1928
Headquarters: Woodland Hills, California
Farmers Insurance® was named a Fortune Best Workplaces for Women™ in 2021. The organization places a high value on inclusion and strives to foster a workplace where employees of all cultures, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are empowered to bring their whole selves to work. The organization has a number of initiatives that help support its effort to be a great place to work for women, including the Parent Connect and Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN) Employee Resource Groups that help provide networking, employee leadership and career development opportunities. Additionally, Farmers has inclusive benefit offerings, such as 10 weeks of 100 percent paid leave for parents to care for and bond with a new child, which is extended to all eligible employees who become a parent following a birth, surrogacy or non-family adoption.
GoDaddy
Founded: February 1997
Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona
GoDaddy is a great place to work for women because it offers a number of programs for female staff.GoDaddy was named to the 2022 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and Comparably 2021 Best Company for Women. In fact, in 2021, women made up 31% of its global workforce, up from a surprising 1% in 2020. According to its latest salary data, for every dollar that a man makes at GoDaddy, a female employee makes the same. The company also has a number of programs that promote gender diversity, including the GoDaddy Abilities in Tech and GoDaddy Women in Tech programs, which provide mentorship and training to female employees in technology-related fields.
Workiva
Founded: April 2008
Headquarters: Ames, Iowa
Workiva cultivates a work environment that promotes respect, teamwork, and fairness, fostering an inclusive workplace that values empowerment, engagement, and satisfaction. Its diversity and inclusion committee, which is open to all employees, is formed around a shared identity and common goal. Female-focused resource groups include Women in Tech and Women in Sales. In 2021, Workiva was named a Fortune 100 Best Places to Work For™.
Ryan, LLC
Founded: 1991
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Ryan has a highly flexible work environment and a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity, making it one of the best companies for working women. As an equal opportunity employer, employment decisions are made without regard to gender, sex, religion, marital status, age, citizenship, or any other type of status. Women who work at Ryan thrive in a guilt-free work environment that focuses on results and client service, rather than when or where the work is done. This past year, Ryan was named a Fortune 2021 Best Workplaces for Women™ and a 2021 Best Workplaces for Parents™ by Great Place to Work.
Voya Financial
Founded: 1991
Headquarters: New York, New York
Voya Financial has been a consistent figure included in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the past years due to its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Its overall workforce and even the board of directors is made up of 50% women. Voya has eight employee resource groups that are open to all staff, including Women’s and Virtual. Approximately 28% of its employees are members of one or more ERGs.
These are just a few of the best companies for women. Each of these businesses has made a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity, creating a work environment where everyone is valued and can thrive. Whether you’re looking for a company that offers flexible hours or one with a strong focus on gender diversity, there’s something for everyone on this list.
BestCompaniesAZ is your exhaustive resource for job hunting tips, interview prep, moving guides, and more. Browse the roster of job opportunities in and beyond Arizona today. If you’re an employer, check out our database of the best employers in the state and beyond.
(Originally published August 2019, Updated March 2022).
