Hachette UK named a Times Top 50 employer for gender equality for fifth consecutive year

Hachette UK has been listed as one of the Times’ Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2024 for the fifth consecutive year. 

Hachette remains the only UK consumer publishing business to be featured in the list. As part of its submission, the publisher provided evidence of its commitment to removing gender inequalities in the workplace, which include flexible working, family-friendly policies, an inclusive culture and career progression. 

Lisa Waterman, group HR director, said she was "pleased with the additional support" Hachette was "able to provide staff in low pay quartiles" through the 2023 pay review and the "pay and progression panel events spearheaded by our Gender Balance Network". She continued: "We want to ensure we remain actively accountable and that we continue to work diligently to accomplish gender balance across all aspects of our business with initiatives like the review of our family leave policies, which will take place this year. To thrive, we must attract and retain the very best talent from a diverse range of backgrounds that authentically reflect our readership and the communities we serve. I’m excited to continue working towards this goal.”

Charlotte Woodworth, gender equality director at Business in the Community, said: “Being named as a Times top 50 employer for gender equality demonstrates Hachette UK’s commitment to driving a more equitable, inclusive world. But while the employers who made the list are doing great work prioritising gender equality, there is still more work to do. From addressing pay disparities to better supporting those with caring responsibilities, many employees, women among them, still face barriers to finding employment and progressing in their careers. It is every employer’s responsibility to play their part in reducing and removing gender inequalities from the workplace, and research shows this isn’t just the right thing to do, it also makes business sense.”

Hachette’s last annual gender and ethnicity pay report reported a drop in its median gender pay gap to 17% (from 17.7%) at its publishing divisions, and an increase in women in the company’s senior roles. Of the report, the company commented: "Our commitment to narrowing the gender pay gap and fostering inclusivity in our company culture is stronger than ever. We know there’s more work to be done, which is why we have implemented specific actions to promote gender diversity across all areas of our business."