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These Companies Make Their Employees Happier: Introducing the 2024 Woman-Led Top Workplaces  

TWP Woman led Innovation Women

Company culture – work environment, career support, core values – can make or break a job. Great leadership is just as important to getting it right. In fact, who your leaders are may be a major factor in overall employee happiness. According to the 2024 Woman-Led Top Workplaces survey, the top companies led by women aren’t just doing well – they’re making employees happier than ever.

The 2024 survey, released by Energage in partnership with Innovation Women and Lioness Magazine, shows that employees at these women-led workplaces report higher satisfaction compared to other workplaces in the U.S. 

About Woman-Led Top Workplaces 

The Woman-Led Top Workplaces award highlights exceptional organizations led by women, celebrating their ability to create thriving, supportive workplace cultures. To qualify, these companies need at least 150 employees, with a woman in the most senior leadership role. The recognition is based entirely on employee feedback, gathered through a survey on workplace culture and overall satisfaction. 

This year, 168 organizations earned the title of Woman-Led Top Workplaces (WLTW) for their inclusive, people-first work environments. But how do they compare to other workplaces? The survey shows that these organizations outperformed other workplaces on several measures of employee happiness. (In addition to the WLTW awards, Energage analyzes data from its research-backed employee engagement survey and identifies people-first Top Workplaces across the country and regionally in partnership with more than 60 of the nation’s most reputable media outlets.) 

A sense of purpose 

Feeling like your job means something is huge for employee satisfaction – some research even suggests that it’s more important than pay, promotions or working conditions. And these women-led companies are absolutely crushing it when it comes to this measure. Across the 168 WLTW awarded organizations, 85.36 percent of employees said that they feel like they’re part of something meaningful. In comparison, only 81.13 percent of employees at other workplaces surveyed by Energage felt the same – a statistically significant difference of 4.23 percent. 

The same holds true when it comes to helping employees reach their full potential. At top women-led companies, 78.91 percent of respondents said that their job allows them to work at their highest potential, a full percentage point higher than other workplaces. 

Work-life balance 

Work-life balance takes many forms: hybrid work, employee resource groups, mental health support, health incentives, flexible hours and parental leave. The specifics may vary, but everyone needs a healthy boundary between their work life and regular life. Employees at top women-led companies seem to have it a little easier. About 83.11 percent of them said that they’re satisfied with their work-life balance, compared to 80.03 percent at other workplaces. Those few extra percentage points could mean the difference between thriving and burning out. 

Leadership that cares 

As the saying goes, “People don’t leave bad jobs – they leave bad bosses.” No matter how tough the work can be, having leadership that truly cares can make all the difference. At the top women-led companies, 86.54 percent of employees said their managers care about their concerns – over two percent higher than the 84.5 percent reported at other workplaces. 

Bringing new ideas 

No one likes to be silenced or shut down when they have a good idea. 79.61 percent of employees at the top women-led companies said that their leaders encourage new ideas, and 78.77 percent said different points of view are welcomed. Compared to 77.72 percent and 77.34 percent at other workplaces, there’s a consistent edge in favor of these women leaders. 

Employee advocates 

How many people would recommend their workplace to others? At the top women-led companies, 82.62 percent of employees said they’d “highly” recommend their workplace, as compared to 81.37 percent of general workplaces. When employees are happy enough to recommend their workplace to others, you know the company is doing something right. 

The takeaway? The Woman-led Top Workplaces are more likely to get it right 

The data makes it clear: these women-led companies are building work environments where people feel valued, supported and empowered. It’s no wonder employees at these organizations are just a little bit happier than the rest. At these women-led companies, people – and their ideas – come first. 

Check out the Woman-Led Top Workplaces Directory 

Curious to know which companies made the list? The full directory features all 168 Woman-led Top Workplaces. Research, look for inspiration or see how these organizations are making a difference. You can explore the complete list of winning companies here

About the author

Laura Grant

As Managing Editor of Lioness, Laura Grant works with the editorial team and a slew of freelancers and regular contributors to produce a publication that offers equal parts inspiration and information. Laura is a graduate of Western New England University with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a master's degree in Communications. She spent her undergraduate term developing her writing and communication skills through internships, tutoring and student media involvement. Her goal is to publish a novel one day. Before joining Lioness full-time, Laura was a freelancer herself and wrote many stories for the magazine.

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