International Women’s Day is a global event held annually on 8th March to recognise the achievements of women in all areas of society while advocating for gender equality.
Originally rooted in the early 1900s labour movements, it has evolved into a worldwide call for action against gender discrimination, pay gaps, and barriers to career progression.
For businesses, this is an opportunity to assess workplace policies, celebrate female employees, and commit to meaningful change. It is not just about recognising women’s contributions but also about ensuring that company culture, policies, and leadership structures actively promote fairness and inclusion.
At PayEscape, we provide HR, payroll, and time and attendance solutions to help businesses create a more equitable workplace. Our services support companies in tracking gender diversity, enforcing fair pay practices, and ensuring compliance with employment laws.
How Businesses Can Celebrate
International Women’s Day is an opportunity for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to gender equality. However, genuine impact requires more than just symbolic gestures. Companies should implement long-term strategies alongside short-term initiatives to create lasting change.
1. Hosting Educational Workshops on Gender Bias and Inclusion
One of the most effective ways to foster change is through education. Businesses can host workshops and training sessions focused on recognising and addressing gender bias. These sessions can cover:
- Identifying unconscious bias in hiring and promotions
- Understanding gender pay gaps and how to eliminate them
- The importance of mentorship and sponsorship for women’s career growth
With HR software from PayEscape, businesses can track participation in these initiatives and assess the impact of training programmes.
2. Recognising Female Employees’ Contributions
Companies can acknowledge the achievements of female employees through:
- Internal awards or recognition schemes
- Showcasing success stories on company websites and social media
- Highlighting women in leadership roles to inspire others
PayEscape’s HR tools help businesses maintain structured performance reviews, ensuring fair recognition and opportunities for all employees.
3. Reviewing Company Policies for Gender Equity
Companies should use IWD as a checkpoint to assess workplace policies, including:
- Pay structures to ensure no gender-based wage gaps
- Parental leave policies that support both parents equally
- Promotion criteria that provide equal opportunities for career progression
With PayEscape’s payroll and HR services, businesses can conduct pay audits and ensure compliance with UK employment laws.
4. Offering Mentorship Programmes for Women
A structured mentorship programme can help women gain leadership skills and career growth opportunities. Companies can:
- Pair female employees with senior mentors
- Offer networking events and career development sessions
- Encourage leadership training specifically for women
HR solutions from PayEscape can help businesses track mentorship engagement and employee career progression.
5. Partnering with Charities That Support Women
Businesses can extend their support by working with organisations focused on women’s rights, such as:
- Women’s shelters and support networks
- STEM initiatives encouraging young girls to enter male-dominated industries
- Charities promoting equal education and job opportunities
By implementing these initiatives and using PayEscape’s fully integrated HR, payroll, and time tracking services, businesses can ensure their commitment to workplace equality goes beyond IWD and creates lasting change.
How Different Industries Can Celebrate
While gender inequality exists across all industries, certain sectors face unique challenges. Here’s how different industries can take meaningful action on International Women’s Day:
Tech & Finance
These industries have historically struggled with gender imbalance, especially in leadership roles. Companies can:
- Host panel discussions with female leaders sharing their experiences
- Promote STEM initiatives encouraging young girls to enter tech and finance careers
- Offer return-to-work programmes for women who have taken career breaks
PayEscape’s HR software helps businesses track diversity hiring metrics, ensuring gender balance is actively monitored and improved.
Retail & Hospitality
Women make up a significant portion of the workforce in these sectors, yet often face barriers to leadership roles and fair scheduling. Companies can:
- Implement flexible work arrangements for women balancing work and caregiving responsibilities
- Provide equal access to leadership training
- Ensure fair distribution of shifts and pay transparency with time and attendance solutions from PayEscape
Healthcare & Education
While women are well represented in these industries, leadership positions often remain male-dominated. Businesses can:
- Conduct leadership training for women to help them advance in their careers
- Offer bias training to ensure fair promotions and pay increases
- Use HR software to track career progression and pay structures
Construction & Manufacturing
Women remain underrepresented in these traditionally male-dominated fields. Companies can:
- Actively recruit and support women in technical roles
- Provide protective equipment designed for women to improve workplace comfort and safety
- Use HR tracking tools to monitor diversity and inclusion progress
By tailoring actions to their industry and leveraging HR, payroll, and time tracking solutions from PayEscape, businesses can move beyond symbolic gestures and create real, lasting change.
How PayEscape Celebrates International Women’s Day
At PayEscape, we recognise that gender diversity strengthens businesses and creates a more inclusive workplace. Our commitment to workplace equality extends beyond International Women’s Day through:
- Internal pay audits to ensure gender pay equity
- Career development initiatives to support women’s professional growth
- Flexible work arrangements that promote work-life balance
- Partnerships with organisations advocating for women’s workplace rights
- HR software to help implement and track gender-inclusive policies
- Time and attendance solutions supporting flexible working arrangements
- Payroll services ensuring equal pay practices and compliance with UK regulations
International women’s day is not just a day of recognition, it’s part of an ongoing commitment to making workplaces better for women every day of the year.
HR Services
HR plays a key role in promoting workplace equality. Effective HR policies and systems ensure that all employees receive fair treatment, career opportunities, and work-life balance.
Key Areas Where HR Support is Essential:
- Diversity & Inclusion Policies: Ensuring hiring, promotions, and pay structures are free from gender bias
- Flexible Working Support: Managing hybrid and remote work arrangements to support employees’ needs
- Employee Wellbeing Programmes: Addressing maternity support, parental leave, and work-life balance
- Compliance Management: Keeping businesses aligned with UK employment laws and best practic
PayEscape’s HR software automates these processes, allowing businesses to:
- Track diversity metrics
- Monitor pay gaps
- Manage policies efficiently
By integrating HR, time and attendance, and payroll solutions, businesses can simplify workforce management while ensuring fairness, transparency, and inclusion.
This International Women’s Day, let PayEscape help you build a workplace where equality is a reality, not just a goal. Learn more about our human resources and time management services here.
