Sage included on The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality list

Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses, was today included on The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality list. The list, now in its 13th year, profiles UK businesses making gender equality part of their business strategy and recognises Sage’s attempts to target inequities in hiring, retention and progression.

While progress has been made, gender inequalities are still very prevalent in UK workplaces today, especially in times of economic disruption, such as the aftermath of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. To tackle this, Sage has focussed on gender as a key pillar of its diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. While the work is ongoing, the company has made the following strides to become a more gender-equal workplace.

• Addressing health inequities: Sage supports women – who are 59% of all unpaid UK carers -- by providing caregiver support through Cleo, offering tools like the Calm app for mental health support, and implementing a menopause policy. This helps reduce caregiving burdens for women managing childcare and relative care alongside their professional duties.
• Equalising access to career advancement access: Amidst global challenges in retaining women in the workforce, Sage launched an AI-powered career planning tool, enabling colleagues to access career development opportunities, stretch their potential, and build their network within the company.
• Redefining flexibility: To combat the primary reason women consider leaving their current employer – lack of flexibility -- Sage’s Flexible Human Work vision allows teams to set their own hybrid work agreements. The company is also experimenting with adaptable role design and scaling flexible work patterns, while enhancing benefits like the Work Away programme.

The organiser of this list, Business in the Community (BITC), received more applications than ever before this year, with a significant number of organisations appearing for the first time. Applicants are assessed on the work they do to remove gender inequalities in the workplace, from flexible working to family friendly policies to pay, reward, and progression at work. All applicants submitted a case study alongside their application, evaluating their approach and impact in the field of gender equality.

"We have made significant progress in knocking down barriers for women in the workplace, and we are thrilled to be acknowledged for our efforts. However, we are aware that there is still more to do, and we are focused on areas like our gender pay gap, and ensuring more gender diversity in our leadership," Amy Lawson, Sage's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Executive Ambassador for Gender Equity. "Our goal is to build on this momentum to ensure Sage becomes a safe and supportive environment for all marginalized genders.’

Mary Macleod, Chief Executive at Business in the Community said: “We know that when women succeed, the UK succeeds, enabling our communities and planet to thrive. Sage is one of the companies leading the way in building a culture where women can reach their full potential by showing real commitment to addressing gender inequalities in the workplace.”

The name of the list, previously The Times Top 50 Employers for Women, has been updated this year to better reflect that addressing gender equality in the workplace requires achieving equality for all, and requires engagement from everyone.