When news broke that the star of The Crown, Claire Foy, was paid significantly less than her male co-star Matt Smith – despite having more screen time and holding the title role – it thrust the gender pay gap conversation firmly back into the spotlight. And rightly so – even in 2018, equality at work can feel frustratingly out of reach.
Whether you’re battling to ascend the ranks of a male-dominated field or struggling to find your place after returning from maternity leave, it pays to know that there are supportive businesses out there – ones that even (gasp!) put their female employees first.
Below, a sample of the best workplaces for women in Australia right now (hot tip: the first one is currently hiring…).
1/ Salesforce
Occupying the top spot on FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, Salesforce is committed to supporting women in tech – and they’re prepared to put their money where their mouth is. In the last three years alone, the company has spent a staggering $8.7-million on closing the gender pay gap, and is dedicated to hiring more women in what is generally a male-focused field. They’re also committed to career growth, with an internal recruitment team dedicated to finding new opportunities for current staff. Visit the Salesforce careers site or sign up to their newsletter for up-to-date intel on available positions.
2/ Mecca
Beauty more your bag? Given that it’s an industry worth upwards of $608-billion, it’s heaving with opportunities – you just need to know where to look. Australia’s emporium of cult beauty products, Mecca, has been listed in the top five Great Places To Work for four years running. Maybe it’s the sizable 40 per cent employee discount and $2000+ free product each year, or maybe it’s their parental support program and focus on internal career development, but Mecca continues to score goals for its customers and employees alike.
3/ Commonwealth Bank
The big banks always feature in lists of the most attractive workforces – take the Commonwealth Bank, which clocked in at second place in LinkedIn Australia’s list of the Top 25 Most Sought-After Companies to Work for in 2018. According to LinkedIn, 57.8 per cent of Commbank’s staff are women, with 44.4 per cent of those at manager level or above, Smart Company reports. Their willingness to give staff flexibility, such as the ability to buy up to four weeks’ extra leave, makes them ideal for women seeking more freedom in their 9-5.
4/ Work for yourself
Who makes the best boss? You do. According to a recent report by Business Insider, the most in-demand freelance skills in Australia right now include UX design, project management, copywriting and data science. Working from home, in your pajamas? Sign us up (at least, until tax time rolls around…).
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