Industry Leaders Decode Women-Returnee Programs at AccelHERate 2021

Over the last 6 years, JobsForHer has made huge progress in changing the mindsets of both women and companies in bringing more women back to the workforce after a sabbatical.

According to JobsForHer Benchmarking Report, 2019-2020, based on data from 300+ companies across India, a total of 70% of the participating companies actively recruited women returnees — a steep increase from 48% in 2019. 

Airbus, Intel, Verizon India, Mastercard and ThoughtWorks and other top players got together at AccelHERate on March 5, 2021, to join us in our mission to build a diverse and inclusive workforce. 

Representatives from top companies shared their most innovative practices in women returnee programs to enable women to restart their careers after a break. Initiatives include sensitising recruiters, leadership involvement, reskilling programs, and special drives to hire women returnees.

At the table were:

• Krithika Krishnan, Director - Systems Engineering, Verizon India
• Vasanthi Naidu, Director Talent Acquisition, Intel India, Intel Technology India Pvt Ltd
• Shweta Shukla, Director - People and Capability, Mastercard Incorporated
• Praveen Kumar Voona, Head of Recruitment & Employment Marketing, Airbus Group India Pvt Ltd
• Thejaswini K M, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist and Maria Nancy, Recruitment Programs Manager, ThoughtWorks Technologies India Private Limited

The Diversity & Inclusion programs presented at #AccelHERate2021 showcased the best innovative practices in women returnee programs of India Inc. in their quest for gender diversity.

Some of the highlights: 

• Krithika Krishnan spoke about the ‘WINGS - Back to Work Program’ at Verizon India. The program provides a launchpad to women who are willing to make a comeback after a career break and to enhance the diverse talent pool in the organisation.
• “As a diversity and inclusion focused company, we have a huge need to bring a diverse workforce into the workplace …” - Vasanthi Naidu, Intel India.
• Shweta Shukla of Mastercard Incorporated highlighted the point that it is heartening to see that some women who had taken a career break are keeping up with the trends through upskilling.  
• Praveen Kumar Voona shared Airbus’ experience with JobsForHer on the ‘FLY AGAIN’ women returnee initiative.
•  Diversity, equity and inclusion have the power to create transformative social change and DEI is woven into the fabric of ThoughtWorks Technologies work culture as shared by Maria Nancy.

Here's a detailed video on all the presentations http://bit.ly/2OObDNZ

Returnee programs are targeted at women returning to work after a break. There are many forms of the returnee program, including returnee internships and retraining programs. Returnee programs could involve paid work, on a temporary or permanent basis. 

Do you want to launch or promote a Women Returnee Program at YOUR workplace? 

Get in touch with us at simran@jobsforher.com.