The pandemic has disrupted the standard operational workplace culture globally. In the beginning, companies introduced their work-from-home (WFH) policies as a contingency response, but almost two years into the pandemic, several organisations around the world have decided to shift to the hybrid model that gives employees the situation-based convenience of either working from home or working from office. The disruption in the linear approach from working in a physical location to facilitating hybrid and remote work models along with several cultural changes have been instrumental in increasing the pool of employable women workforce In India.
Recent data from Avatar’s 2022 Status Of Women Workforce Participation In India Report, reveals that employable women jobseekers in India have risen by two crores in the last five years in India, and is at 7.6 crores in 2022. The report highlights how companies are improving their gender diversity ratios in the workplace with the help of key tools like career development, male allyship, and second career programmes.
According to the report, between 2015 and 2020, the enrolment of female students in higher education courses has seen a growth of 18.2 per cent. This increase is expected to fire up the entry-level talent pipeline. Consulting, IT/ITeS and BFSI will be the top three industries hiring women talent this year, the report said. Pharma is expected to register 35 per cent of women hires this year, as opposed to 28.5 per cent five years ago.
Avtar’s report shows that 3.8 lakh companies are expected to offer remote work this year, almost double that in 2016. “India is looking at attracting higher FDI and creating a lot more unicorns this year. Jobseekers ghosted companies in a hot talent market. Increased employable women in the workforce is a formidable force to create value and improve the diversity balance,” said Avatar founder Saundarya Rajesh.
Here are some interesting highlights from the report
• Upskilling has become a key priority at 3.9 lakh companies, compared to 1.7 lakhs in 2016.
• The number of firms offering child care support to both men and women will increase to 581 this year, from 165 in 2016.
• About 481 firms are offering second careers (those returning after a break) this year, compared to 191 in 2016. This year, it is expected to benefit over 27 lakh women.
"Post-Covid, a larger number of organisations have internalised the need for better child-care. Near home and near-office crèches, as well as on-premise crèches will increase. Care-giver policies (to enable women to engage in-house caregivers) will also increase. This will enable 19 lakh women to benefit,” said Rajesh.