New job website gives you an inside look at companies before you apply to work there

A website that gives UK jobseekers an inside look at companies before they apply to work there has added Microsoft to its list of “best employers”.

Work180, which was founded in Australia but recently branched out into Britain, looks at a business’s stance on pay equity, flexible working, paid parental leave and equal opportunities before agreeing to advertise vacancies.

Job-hunters can also see if the company has mentoring and coaching programmes, breastfeeding rooms and networking groups, so they can understand the culture before they apply.

While Work180’s focus is on empowering women in the workplace, its staff are passionate about achieving equality for all employees, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

“All employers are pre-screened and have to meet a benchmark that we set. Microsoft exceeded that,” said Gemma Lloyd, Founder and Chief Executive of Work180. “We offer women the opportunity to make an educated decision about where they want to work, by giving them the answers to questions that you don’t necessarily want to ask during an interview. No employer is perfect, but applicants can use Work180 to align what’s important to a business to what is important to them.”

Lloyd added that Microsoft was “leading” on paternity leave, with the technology company giving men six weeks off after a child’s birth or adoption placement. Staff are also given time off for antenatal appointments and can request flexible working arrangements. The paternity leave also applies in the event of stillbirth.

“We are delighted that our aspiration to provide our people with the best place to work has been recognised by Work180,” said Andrea Winfield, UK HR Director at Microsoft.

“Our mission is to empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more and we actively seek to foster greater levels of diversity in our workforce. We are always looking for the best and brightest talent and pride ourselves on our individuality – inviting candidates to come as they are and do what they love. The common thread that attracts us to candidates is their passion for their work and the desire to make an impact in their careers, in the community and on the world – and we look forward to working with our diverse communities of employees to make Microsoft an even more welcoming and inclusive place to work.”

Lloyd welcomed Microsoft’s paternity leave policies, saying that until “men are empowered to be at home, there won’t be female equality in the workplace”.

Parental leave is just one of 20 questions that Work180 asks companies who want to be included on its “best employers” list. Firms that fail to meet the benchmark are given feedback on how they can improve.

Lloyds set up Work180 after 10 years in the ICT sector, which she said was under-represented by women. She expanded into the UK after receiving a large number of enquiries from women and companies in this country. The website will continue its expansion by launching in New York in September.

Lloyd’s aim is to create the “number one job platform for women across the world by 2022”.

“Jobseekers have to provide credentials to employers, but why doesn’t it happen the other way round, too? We are doing a power flip; if companies want good talent, they need to show people why they should work for them,” she added.

Microsoft is joined on Work180’s “best employers” list by companies including HSBC and BAE Systems.