Softline VIP a finalist in Top Women Awards

The event is set to take place on Thursday, 22 September 2011 at the Gallagher Convention Centre.

“We are extremely excited and honoured to be a Top Gender Empowered Company finalist in the ICT category,” says Anja Hartman-Weitz, Human Resources Director at Softline VIP, part of the Sage Group plc.

The awards are regarded as South Africa’s premier gender empowerment event and recognise people and companies who are actively promoting professional women in the workplace.

72% of employees at Softline VIP are women, says Hartman-Weitz.  “The company is very well represented from a female perspective with four of our six directors being women, as are 70% of our managers.”

Having so many women in one company has necessitated a very flexible approach when it comes to working moms, says Hartman-Weitz.  “We have an extended maternity leave policy, which includes the standard four month period.  We have also added an additional phasing-in period of two months, during which the new mom can work half day or flexi hours depending on the agreement we make.  It is a very specific benefit for our women that promote productivity at work, knowing that their little ones are taken care of.”

“We operate in the service industry and our unique employee compilation translates into a client service offering that is supportive and caring with staff members that are willing to listen. This leverages off the unique qualities that are engrained in the female psyche,” concludes Hartman-Weitz.