Willmott Dixon and Wates Group Among Those Named Top Employers for Women

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23 May 2022

Three companies in the construction, property services and development sector have been recognised in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2022 guide.

Willmott Dixon, Wates Group and Jacobs UK Ltd have all been placed in the top 50 list, demonstrating their respective progress towards gender equality in the workplace.

The list is known as the longest-running and most widely respected award for employers committed to achieving equality for women at work. This year was the most competitive in the list’s history, with the highest number of applicant organisations.

For Willmott Dixon, it’s the fourth successive year the company has featured in the list, and the second successive year for Jacobs. Wates Group ranks on the list for the first time this year.

The Times Top 50 Employers for Women is run by the charity Business in the Community (BITC) – The Prince’s Responsible Business Network in conjunction with The Times and involves a competitive process to identify companies that make gender equality part of the way they do business, working to embed it at all levels. 

Applicants were closely assessed on the work they do to remove the drivers that enforce gender inequality, from flexible working and family-friendly policies to pay, reward and progression. This year BITC included further assessment by asking women what areas they feel need to be improved.

After three independent rounds of assessment, a tie for the fiftieth place led to 51 organisations being included on this year’s list.

“The cost of living crisis following hot on the heels of the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 faced by women has further shone a light on how far we have to go on gender equality. Without action from all employers, we will end up chasing our tails while trying to eradicate the inequalities gap and create truly inclusive workplaces for all women.”

–Katy Neep

Gender Equality Campaign Director, Business in the Community

Willmott Dixon – First Construction Company to Target Gender Parity at Each Job Grade by 2030

Willmott Dixon is the first construction company to commit to achieving gender parity at each job grade by 2030.

Rick Willmott, Group Chief Executive at Willmott Dixon said: “It is important that contractors are featured in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2022 list as it shines a spotlight on construction as a great industry to work in, which is vital if we are to encourage more women to choose our sector as a place where they can enjoy a rewarding career.”

Katy Neep, Gender Equality Campaign Director at Business in the Community, added: “The cost of living crisis following hot on the heels of the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 faced by women has further shone a light on how far we have to go on gender equality. Without action from all employers, we will end up chasing our tails while trying to eradicate the inequalities gap and create truly inclusive workplaces for all women.”

“The Times Top 50 gives us hope that we are making strong progress in our goal towards gender equality and in our 40th year we call on all employers to be bolder, braver and faster in achieving that goal.”

Wates Group – Family-Friendly Policies

In 2020, Wates announced a complete overhaul of its family-friendly policies, including enhanced paternity/partner leave, increased maternity leave and carer leave, to enable a greater sharing of responsibilities at work and home, and to help promote the development of a more inclusive culture.

When it launched its Flexible Working principles scheme last June, Wates became one of the first built environment businesses to encourage flexible working in every role and at every level across the business.

In 2022, the group also issued guidance to colleagues on recognising and responding to menopause at work and has recently worked with the Fawcett Society to publish the largest-ever survey of menopausal women, resulting in the Menopause and the Workplace report.

Wates hopes to achieve 40 per cent female representation at all levels within the business by 2025.

Jacobs UK Ltd –  TogetherBeyond

A recent culture survey at Jacobs UK showed that TogetherBeyond, the company’s diversity and inclusion initiative, was widely accepted by staff and is viewed as a key differentiator for why people want to work and stay with Jacobs.

The company also has a Women’s Network to champion gender equality and work to make Jacobs a company where all women thrive.

By 2025, Jacobs aims to significantly improve their gender balance globally, with a goal to achieve 40 per cent female talent, 40 per cent male talent and 20 per cent being a flexible measure – including any gender and those who choose not to identify or disclose.

Picture: a photograph of two people working at a table. Image Credit: Pexels

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 23 May 2022

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