Heycar recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for women

Heycar has been recognised for its delivery of equality among its employees in the Great Place to Work’s fourth Best Workplaces for Women’s list 2021.

The car retail sector marketing platform was ranked 26th in the medium-sized business category and was the only automotive business to be represented among 88 listed companies.

Karen Hilton, chief commercial officer at heycar, said that she was “very proud” of the achievement as she took to LinkedIn to celebrate the award.

And a statement issued by heycar said: “A big shout out to all of the people who've helped shape and make heycar such a welcoming and inclusive place to work, and especially to all of the incredible women who've been part of our journey since we launched in 2019.”

In its Best Workplaces for Women annual report, Great Places to Work highlighted the challenges posed by women and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on female employees.

It said that one of the most difficult outcomes of the pandemic has been its “devastating effect on the career progression, mental/physical health and livelihood of women, in particular mothers, across the globe”.

Great Places to Work said that data from the Understanding Society shows that working mums were more likely to reduce their paid working hours to accommodate childcare needs than working dads (21% mothers vs. 11% fathers), and on average women spent around 15 hours per week doing housework while working from home, compared to men who spent only 10 hours.

Automotive 30% Club founder Julia Muir has said that car retail’s women had been ‘stepping up and losing out’ during COVID-19 crisis.

Back in February Muir said: "Women are still stepping up to do the stereotypical roles, all the home schooling, ‘holding the fort’ back at home.

“Employers must be working to ensure that women aren’t detrimentally affected.”

The Great Places to Work report said: “It is obvious the pandemic has further exacerbated existing inequalities between women and men, with many experts fearing that COVID-19 could set ‘women back decades’.

“If we are ever to truly fight against unfair practices and build a more equal society, we as individuals, work colleagues and employers must pull together and act! If there is one lesson we learned from the pandemic, it is that as business leaders we need to prioritise caring for our colleagues, accommodating personal conditions and understanding unique needs.”

At heycar, 63% of its 73 employees are male.

Account director Emma Raynor said the business creates an environment where all employees are listened to, however.

Raynor said: “It's great working in an environment where your ideas are listened to regardless of your position in the business.

“Collaborative working in its most exciting form and being part of something so new means that the team can move quickly to capitalise on winning ideas.

“Enthusiasm and support is provided from all corners of the business. We work hard and celebrate success for a job well done, and have fantastic socials.”