Creating a safe and supportive network for like-minded women employees to connect, communicate and collaborate is key to fostering a belonged workplace.
“As a community, all of us like to feel safe, have a sense of belonging, a safety net where we can communicate, support, and lean on each other. We have the same concept for our women employee network,” explained Shriya Dutt, Director Human Resources, Qualcomm, while speaking at Working Mother and Avtar the Best Practices of the 100 Best Conference (BOB).
Quality referrals, access to mentors, boosting confidence, a platform to inspire and get inspired, and more women networking to result in fewer inequalities were the binding thoughts for Qualcomm to form QWomen.
QWomen is a unified and consistent approach by Qualcomm with a mission to provide opportunities, encourage leadership, mentorship, and career development of all women employees. At present, QWomen has representation from both men and women.
The objectives of QWomen are:
- To build an inclusive environment
- To ensure representation, voice, and participation of women
- To partner with internal groups to promote perspectives of women
- To encourage leadership opportunities
- To engage in community outreach initiatives
QWomen Board Committee Structure
In every city where the Qualcomm QWomen Chapter exists, the president provides leadership directions, strategic inputs and serves as the voice of the employee network. A vice-president offers guidance and assists the president in decision-making. The inflow and outflow of funds are taken care of by the treasurer. The marketing and communication team ensures that news of all the great work done reaches the employees and the world.
Shriya mentioned that in addition to the office-bearer positions, they also have support groups. An executive support group that comprises leaders from either engineering, HR, or IT offers strategic leadership to the chapter to ensure the best for the women community.
QWomen initiatives are focused on the three pillars of staying healthy, forging ahead, and being happy. These pillars encompass health and wellness programs, leaders speaking sessions, mentoring programs, work-life balance, and voluntary initiatives.
