Recent research from HerWerk reveals 87% of Australian women surveyed consider flexibility the most important factor in the workplace. We analysed 124 detailed employer reviews submitted by HerWerk users.
The aim was to identify what Australian women actually want in the workplace in 2023. The findings reveal the top four factors that matter most to women and the initiatives that can help Australian employers attract and retain female talent…
Flexibility is Key For Women
According to data collected by HerWerk, flexibility is the most important factor for Australian women at work, with 87% of users stating that ‘the ability to adjust work hours and schedules as needed’ is important to them right now. However, the average rating by women for satisfaction with the flexibility offered at their company is only 3.2 out of 5.
Role Models Matter
The data also reveals that ‘representation of women in leadership positions’ at their company is important for 86% of women. However, the average rating for satisfaction with the representation of women in leadership in their workplace is only 2.9 out of 5.
Salary Satisfaction Counts
82% of women state that satisfaction with their pay is important to them right now and users give their employer an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 for pay.
Focus on Wellbeing
74% of respondents say that their employers’ focus on their wellbeing is currently important to them. However, on average users rate their employer only 2.7 out of 5 for satisfaction with their employers’ focus on wellbeing at work.
Additional Key Findings
Less than half (48%) of women who reviewed their company would recommend their employer to other women, while 57% of HerWerk users do not believe women are treated equally to men in their workplace.
The average overall satisfaction rating HerWerk users give their workplaces is 3.2 out of 5 (as at March 2023).
Initiatives That Matter
When asked what would make them stay with the employer they reviewed, HerWerk users most often chose the following initiatives:
Q “What could be done to make you stay?”
- Promoting more women to positions of leadership (38%)
- Providing more development opportunities (37%)
- Offering more flexibility (34%)
- Better pay (34%)
- Increasing work-life balance (33%)
- Only 15% of HerWerk users said they were happy and nothing needed to be done to make them stay.
What employers should focus on:
Australian employers should focus on the issues that actually matter most to women at work. Forget the cupcakes and inspirational speakers and prioritise initiatives that improve flexibility, executive level diversity, pay equity, and wellbeing”. By doing so, employers can create a workplace that empowers women and attracts and retains top female talent.
Information about the data collection method:
HerWerk users submit anonymous reviews of their current or recent workplace. Women rate their employer on 20 metrics that matter to them including pay, parental leave, culture and development opportunities etc.