The battle for tomorrow’s talent

Women make up 50% of the global population but less than 40% of the global labour force, according to the World Bank. It has therefore never been more important to understand how to attract and retain female talent, particularly as the so-called "Great Resignation" has led to increased competition for workers.

Maximizing women's potential in the workplace

And as women are often an underutilised resource in the world of work, many firms are leaving potential for growth and profit on the table. There is a commercial relationship between diversity and performance, and share value for businesses and occupiers of office spaces – it is all about talent, the workforce, and designing places for the future.

Embracing diversity: catalyst for innovation and social impact in organizations

At an organisational level, it has long been established that a diverse workforce can help drive innovation, creativity, and productivity. A McKinsey report found that a company with diverse staffing outperforms a non-diverse one by 15% (gender diverse) and 35% (ethnically diverse). Beyond increased performance, diverse staffing provides benefits for the "Social" element of many companies ESG strategies (Environmental, Social, and Governance).

Designing a more inclusive office space

With diverse staffing comes more diverse needs from offices.  The corporate workplace has historically been designed by men and for men. With so many women now entering the labour force, changes to the office are likely.

Savills conducted a survey of workers and found that there are differences in gender preferences for certain office amenities. Even though men and women generally want the same things from their office spaces, there are several key differences along gender lines: women tend to prioritize security, personal safety, the ability to open windows, and recycling options. Nearly 90% of female respondents ranked personal safety as an important feature to include in office spaces.

Women and work

Globally, professional women can face many different environments when interacting with the world of work. At the heart of this issue are several key trends: lack of representation in senior leadership roles – both in business and politics, unequal remuneration, burdens of care, and lack of support for flexible options within the workplace.  

To understand the legal circumstances that professional working women face worldwide, the Savills "World of Women and Work" Index focusses on five key metrics: work and pay equality, business and asset ownership equality, parenting and home life, government representation for women, and educational attainment of women.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the inclusion of women in the workforce is essential for businesses. The diversity of the workforce brings undeniable benefits, but to maximize them, it is crucial to rethink workspaces to address the specific needs of women. By promoting equal opportunities and inclusivity, businesses can create an environment conducive to the success of all.

Would you like to learn more? Read the full article "The world of women and work"

Source : Savills Impacts - The world of women and work