“IN THE LAST SIX YEARS, WE'VE SPENT MORE THAN $16 MILLION TO CORRECT THE GENDER PAY GAP”

The technology sector has grown and adapted to the evolving market. Today, creating an inclusive, balanced organisation that is gender and culture neutral is essential. Michele Nyrop, Head – Employee Success, Salesforce India, discusses the enigma of employee retention amid the wave of great resignation, creating an inclusive work environment, tipping the pay scales to ensure equal pay for equal jobs and more. Excerpts….

- Anvita Pillai

There has been a wave of great resignation, especially evident in the technology sector. How can companies mitigate the challenge proposed by this movement? How can they work on retaining employees more effectively?

A recent study by McKinsey found 51 per cent of employees who left their jobs reported a lack of a sense of belonging at work. Today, employees look forward to working for values-based companies that provide them with a rewarding work experience. They seek more flexibility in their work, a values-based environment, strong culture, and more holistic benefit programs.

Companies that give employees what they most want — flexibility, autonomy, and choice about where they work, when they work, and how they work -- will be the most effective at attracting and retaining top talent and are more likely to accelerate from the great resignation to the great retention. We believe that we have an opportunity to create an even better workplace — one that allows us to be more connected to each other, find more balance between work and home, and advance equality — ultimately leading to increased innovation and better business outcomes.

Being a woman leading a vital department of the company, how have you established a more gender and culture-inclusive workforce? Can you give examples of specific policies instated which help you with it?

At Salesforce, equality has always been a core value, and we’re committed to building a more diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities where we live and work. Part of what makes Salesforce a great company is our belief that business is the most effective platform for change.