Women opt for financial services and IT in quest for better pay and flexibility

Women most want to work in financial services, IT, retail, the public sector and academia, according to The Times.

The newspaper's Top 50 Places Where Women Want to Work revealed women were keen on these sectors because of equal pay, flexible working, employee satisfaction and overall approach to diversity.

Among the companies cited as top places for women to work were Barclays Bank, Friends Provident, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Lloyds TSB.

Sarah Emery, group diversity manager of Britannia Building Society, said she was delighted to have her company included in the list, which was compiled in association with Aurora.

Emery said: "Part of Britannia's strategy is to be a great place to work, grow and develop and this award demonstrates how we are striving to achieve this."

Royal Mail was also recognised as one of the best businesses in the UK for women to thrive.
From diversity training and mentoring schemes to family-friendly policies, Royal Mail was deemed to be creating better opportunities for promotion for women.

Denyse Busby-Earle, director of engagement and inclusion for Royal Mail, said: "Royal Mail has come a long way, with more flexible working being introduced and greater opportunities emerging for women.

"Our inclusion in this survey is a big plus. It's recognition for the efforts we are making to develop female colleagues and offers an attractive picture to those women thinking of applying to work for Royal Mail.

"Over the next two years, we will focus on key areas, such as wellbeing, in support of work-life balance, and talent management and career development as part of the drive to recruit, retain and develop talented women."

Read the full report on the Times website