Industry voice: Softcat - Leading the way as the Best Workplace for Women in 2024
Softcat's success in securing the top spot is based on anonymous survey responses from employees who participated in the GPTW survey. This method ensures that the award is genuinely reflective of the experiences and satisfaction of the people who work at Softcat. The company has seen a significant improvement, climbing from 6th place in 2023 to 1st place in 2024.
The recognition is one of many accolades celebrating the work Softcat has done for women in the workplace. Highlighted in the FTSE Women Leaders Review as one of the Top Ten Best Performers in the FTSE250 for having a majority women board and being acknowledged as the top workplace for development, as well as being ranked #5 Best Workplace for Wellbeing™ 2024 (Super Large) and #1 Best Workplace for Development™ 2024 (Super Large).
Several initiatives at Softcat have contributed to these wins:
- The Softcat Women in Business (SWIB) network. Led by dedicated stream leaders, SWIB has spearheaded numerous initiatives across the business:
- SWIB Swap and career-related sessions: these include a virtual session with senior leaders from Microsoft and CheckPoint, an upskilling session with women leaders at Softcat, and various Future Learn sessions which provide technical training for women on a range of topics.
- Network alignment with the broader D&I business strategy, focusing on increasing female representation in sales, especially in management roles. Recent workshops with women and managers in Services and IT have led to a greater emphasis on training for managers, better awareness of existing resources, work-life balance initiatives, career progression support, and expanding the pool of allies. Additionally, the network has engaged with schools and universities, and collaborated with partners on joint events and initiatives.
- Conversations around sensitive topics. This year the network hosted a call with the Domestic Abuse Victims’ policy team at the Home Office on violence against women and girls.
- Softcat’s mentoring app is designed to support women's professional growth within the company. The app matches women at Softcat with potential mentors based on their preferences and what they’re hoping to develop or gain from the relationship.
- Representation at the leadership and board levels. 63% women at Board level (6% increase from 57% YOY). The company understands the importance of having women's voices at the decision-making table, ensuring that their perspectives and contributions are valued at the highest levels.
- The Softcat Women in Tech insight day aimed to inspire young women to pursue careers in technology by highlighting the industry's benefits and opportunities. It also provided a collaborative platform with partners such as Microsoft.
This year Softcat reached its aim of having 35% women in its workforce by 2024, six years ahead of the initial 2030 target. As of now, women comprise 36% of Softcat's workforce, with a new goal set at 40% by 2030.
Empowering Women’s Health on International Women’s Day 2024
It has always been important at Softcat to show commitment to supporting women through various stages of their lives, shining a light on issues that often carry a stigma, and acknowledging health challenges that may impact both their home and work life. Earlier this year, Softcat ran an important initiative for International Women’s Day on women’s health and worked with ITN Business on a campaign called ‘The Future We Deserve’.
The campaign looked at the different stages of women’s health from menstruation through to health conditions that affect women as they mature. The organisation created support around these topics to ensure women, and men who are supporting their partners at home, have access to all resources in the form of:
- FAQs for the new Fertility and Menopause policies
- A private doctor service which is available to provide medical advice on menopause and fertility
- Dedicated mental health first aiders who are aligned to our SWIB and Family Networks
The campaign spanned across all areas of the business and gave women leaders the opportunity to role-model and openly share their own experiences of women’s health, flexible working and the importance of having a healthy work-life balance.
Softcat end the year on a high by walking away with three wins at the CRN Women and Diversity in Channel Awards 2024 and winning Best DE&I initiative of the Year at the CRN channel awards where the work around gender diversity was acknowledged.
As Softcat continues to lead the way in gender diversity and inclusion, the company’s dedication to creating a supportive and equitable workplace for women is driving positive change within the IT industry.
This Article is sponsored by Softcat