As the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted over the last three years, so has its impact on America鈥檚 working women. Lockdowns, closures, and restrictions hit more women-heavy industries, like education, health care, retail, and hospitality, with job losses. While remote classes remained the norm for schools across the country, many women also found themselves shouldering the burden of childcare as well. As a result, men in re-entering the workforce.
Now, the latest data shows that in returning to work. Women鈥檚 employment to pre-pandemic levels, with rising costs and a tight labor market among possible factors contributing to this growth. The subset of women driving this shift, however, are those college-educated and aged 25-54. Women with less income and education and women of color face ongoing and compounded challenges to workforce re-entry and retention.
In light of these numbers, companies can, and should, turn their attention to how they can provide jobs that will attract and retain women.
In our 2022 polling, majorities of Americans acknowledged a range of problems that continue to plague women in the workforce, with three-quarters (76%) recognizing that access to childcare and workplace harassment are problematic. The gender wage gap (70%), equal opportunities for advancement (66%), and access to paid family leave (62%) were also cited as problems. Among those that say these issues are a problem for women in the workplace, 59% say closing the wage gap between men and women and access to childcare are big problems. Nearly the same amount (54%) said the same about access to paid family leave.
In an effort to showcase which companies are leading when it comes to how they are supporting women in the workplace, JUST analyzed a subset of key metrics from our Rankings and our upcoming JUST Job Scorecard to identify four companies with the highest scores based on their disclosures 鈥� Bank of America, NVIDIA, Intel, and Intuit.
Each of the leading companies:
Below, we explore the key actions these companies have taken that make them leaders in supporting women in the workplace.
Bank of America
Ranked 1st in America鈥檚 Most JUST Companies
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina
Bank of America conducts annual gender pay equity analyses and . The company鈥檚 latest analysis found that women make 99% of every dollar earned by their male colleagues. The bank leads on best practices when it comes to caregiving policies as well. Both primary and secondary caregivers it employs . Last year, Bank of America to cover 50 days of backup care for adults and children per year.
In addition, the company to help working families cover the cost of child care. Bank of America鈥檚 employees also have , including compressed work weeks and reduced hours. The company is working to ensure its leadership reflects gender diversity as well, and of its board of directors identify as women.
NVIDIA
Ranked 2nd in America鈥檚 Most JUST Companies
Based in Santa Clara, California
NVIDIA prioritizes pay parity and carries out annual gender pay equity analyses. Its latest of .99:1.00, with women earning 99% of what their male colleagues make. The company also for its employees, offering a comprehensive maternity leave policy that provides 22 weeks of paid leave for primary caregivers. Employees considered secondary caregivers receive 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
NVIDIA supports working families with on the cost of full- or part-time child care as well. The company and, if needed, 15 days for emergency backup dependent care. NVIDIA also of its board of directors, with 23% of its board currently identifying as women.
Intel
Ranked 9th in America鈥檚 Most JUST Companies
Based in Santa Clara, California
Intel is a leader on gender pay equity. The company 鈥� notably, it has achieved global gender pay equity as of 2019. Parents working at Intel have , whether they are a primary or secondary caregiver, after the birth, adoption, or foster of a new child. To , Intel provides subsidized child care and emergency backup dependent care for employees.
Intel for its workforce, offering the option to work a compressed week, during different times of the day, and in a hybrid environment. Intel is also committed to advancing gender diversity in its leadership and of its board of directors. Currently, 41% of Intel鈥檚 board members identify as women.
Intuit
Ranked 65th in America鈥檚 Most JUST Companies
Based in Mountain View, California
Intuit prioritizes equal pay 鈥� of its annual gender pay equity analyses. In addition, the company鈥檚 latest analysis found that women earn, on average, $1.02 for every dollar earned by men. Intuit provides for both primary and secondary caregivers it employs. Supporting working families beyond this initial period, a backup dependent care policy and subsidized child care.
Intuit employees have access to , with options to work remotely or in-person. The company also , disclosing that currently one-third of its board members identify as women.
Here鈥檚 a snapshot from our upcoming JUST Jobs Scorecard “compare” tool, showing how Bank of America, NVIDIA, Intel, and Intuit are performing on these issues.
To unpack your company鈥檚 gender equity performance in the 2023 Rankings and gain insights into how to improve on the issues that matter most to the American public, please reach out to corpengage@justcapital.com.
