IKEA India has successfully integrated gender balance into its business model, with approximately 45% female co-workers overall and 60% women in senior leadership positions.
The company's approach involves systemic integration of gender equality throughout the organization, making it foundational rather than aspirational.
Recruitment at IKEA focuses on reimagining traditionally gender-segregated roles in India and ensuring authentic representation through co-created materials.
The company promotes gender equality by redesigning work environments to be inherently equitable, instead of relying on rigid quotas.
IKEA conducts regular pay audits, offers transparent salary structures, and raises awareness about equal pay to address gendered work value perceptions.
The predictable five-day workweek and flexible shift-swapping policies at IKEA help employees balance professional and personal responsibilities effectively.
IKEA's gender-neutral parental leave and on-site childcare facilities signal shared caregiving responsibilities, supporting women's career advancement.
The company's comprehensive integration of gender equality principles throughout the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to career advancement, drives success.
IKEA's approach includes unconscious bias training, succession planning for gender representation, and development opportunities for high-potential female employees.
By treating gender balance as a fundamental operating principle rather than a separate initiative, IKEA has created a model that delivers measurable results.
In a business environment where diversity initiatives often lack structural reforms, IKEA's approach offers a compelling alternative focused on consistent and effective practices.