PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) has launched a return-to-work programme to encourage talent back into the workplace.
The 12-week ‘Back to Business’ programme includes a week-long induction duirng which participants will receive training and support to help with the transition back into work. Those taking part will be assigned to a dedicated manager who will help them to set and achieve objectives.
The scheme will begin in PWC’s deals business, where participants will have the opportunity to perform client-facing work based on their expertise, interests and skills. They will also have the chance to explore the careers offered at the organisation with a possible view to returning in a more permanent position.
The returnee scheme is open to all, but a particular aim of the programme is to encourage women who have taken career breaks to return to work.
The Back to Business programme forms part of the employer’s focus on improving diversity and fostering a talent pipeline of future female leaders. PWC’s initiatives include setting gender and ethnicity targets for the next three years, offering shared parental leave to all staff, as well as reporting its gender pay gap analysis.
Gaenor Bagley, head of people at PWC, said: “Many women who have had time out of the workplace to raise a family may feel that they are being overlooked by recruiters due to the gap in their CV.
“Our programme is designed to address people’s experience gap and provide another route to get talented people back into the workplace.”
Brian Lochead, people leader for PWC’s deals practice, added: “We believe Back to Business will provide a sustainable pool of talent at an experienced level and will help build our pipeline of future women leaders.
“We value difference and want to break down the pre-conceptions that it can be harder for women to progress in a deals environment.”