India Inc focuses on diversity and flexibility to retain female talent

India Inc is actively working to transform workplaces, promoting inclusivity, diversity, and gender equality in a rapidly evolving, tech-driven landscape to create a “pink edge” for women. Companies are stepping up efforts to attract and retain female talent through specialized leadership programs, AI-driven upskilling, and greater flexibility to support work-life balance. As part of this movement toward a more equitable workplace, equal opportunities are now a key focus, surpassing salary and benefits as a primary priority for women.

In the post-pandemic return-to-office era, flexibility has become crucial for women managing both professional and personal responsibilities. According to the Randstad Workmonitor Survey 2025, more than half of Indian employees (52%) would consider leaving a job that does not offer adequate flexibility, with women placing particular importance on work-life balance.

Viswanath P S, MD & CEO of Randstad India, a talent company, said, "Women are actively seeking greater flexibility, meaningful career development, and upskilling opportunities, particularly in AI and emerging technologies. The demand for full-time remote work is also significantly higher among women."

A bunch of companies including TCS and Accenture offer flexible work options, while some like Meesho include hybrid work policies to promote better work-life balance.

Govindraj M K, CHRO at Myntra, said, "We provide additional flexibility through our MynVive: Myntra Ramp-back Programme, which offers new mothers and primary caregivers options offering extended flexibility, such as sabbatical leave for up to 24 weeks and the option to work at 50% capacity for three months post-maternity."

However, many companies are insisting on a strict return to office. Rituparna Chakraborty, co-founder TeamLease, cautions, "The result will be that organisations that embrace AI to enable personalised learning, hybrid work and career paths, and flexible working will be able to attract and retain the best female talent."

As industries evolve with technological advancements, the need for skills that support innovation and adaptability is greater than ever. With AI and automation transforming various sectors, the workforce must be equipped with new tools to stay competitive. However, a significant gap remains in terms of access, coverage, and quality of these necessary skills.

Nishchae Suri, MD-India, Cornerstone OnDemand, said, "As AI continues to transform industries, investing in targeted upskilling programmes for women is essential to cultivate an inclusive, agile workforce."

Encouragingly, job opportunities for women in India have surged by 48% in 2025, with notable growth in emerging tech fields.

However, to fully harness this potential, organisations must address persistent upskilling gaps. Chakraborty said, "Most AI training programmes are not targeted at specific issues that women face, such as the lack of mentors in tech and biased skill tests. The attention should move to the development of career acceleration programmes that are available to all women, free from bias, and in line with their work preferences."

Flexible work models, structured career re-entry programmes, and targeted Learning & Development (L&D) and upskilling must anchor talent management for women employees, equipping them to navigate the future of work with resilience & agility.

(With TOI inputs)