For the third consecutive year, UC Davis has been recognized as one of America's Best Employers for Women by Forbes. 

This distinction reflects the university's ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive and empowering environment for women at all levels of the organization.

Programs and resources designed to support women employees are influential in promoting career advancement and overall well-being. The UC Women's Initiative for Professional Development (UCWI) gathers participants from every UC location, representing a diverse range of faculty and staff. The initiative selects 18 participants annually, fostering the success and advancement of mid-career, professional women. This year, the program received nearly 180 applications, the highest number since its launch.

UC Womxn in Tech (WIT) is an employee resource group (ERG) that promotes a diverse and inclusive workspace within the UC IT field. WIT provides resources, career training, mentorship opportunities and a platform for womxn to share their success stories, amplify their voices and expand their careers in IT at UC Davis.

In April, the Status of Women at Davis Administrative Advisory Committee (SWADAAC) hosted its 2024 Virtual Summit, focusing on inclusivity, visibility, support and mentoring for women leaders. The summit featured panels on professional structures and systems that value women's contributions and discussed how UC Davis and the UC system could better support women across the campuses.

UC Davis is also committed to recruitment practices that embed diversity into each step of the hiring process. Resources, best practices and guidelines are provided to supervisors, hiring managers and search committee members, focusing on affirmative action goals and obligations as an equal opportunity employer. These resources include an Equal Opportunity Employment & Affirmative Action overview, guidelines for understanding and interpreting affirmative action goals, and strategies for attracting, selecting, and hiring diverse talent.

UC Davis has also seen a steady increase in women in Manager & Senior Professional positions, with women making up 54.5% of these roles as of October 2023. This progress reflects the university's ongoing efforts to promote gender equity and support women's career advancement.

"We are deeply honored to receive this recognition, which emphasizes our unwavering commitment to supporting women employees at UC Davis. Our programs are designed to foster an inclusive and supportive environment, ensuring our employees have the resources they need to thrive both professionally and personally. This acknowledgment is a testament to the collective efforts of our dedicated team and the vibrant community we serve."

--Chief Human Resources Officer, Tammy Kenber

In addition to career advancement programs, family care services have been crucial in supporting women employees in their efforts to balance their professional and personal lives. The Bright Path to Learning Child Development Center, a childcare facility at UC Davis Health for staff, faculty and students, has been instrumental in helping employees manage their careers and families. According to the 2024 Family Survey Results:

• 97% of employees who use the center meet job performance expectations

• 95% can concentrate on their job to be productive, and 95% work the necessary hours 

• 86% of respondents pursue or accept higher positions 

• 80% pursue additional education or training

Another vital initiative is the Lactation Support Program (LSP), which provides university affiliates and their partners with lactation consultations, support group meetings, and access to hospital-grade breast pumps and lactation rooms. The program has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from employees. The 2023-24 LSP Evaluation survey revealed:

•  81% of UC Davis campus participants and 90% of UC Davis Health participants reported significant positive impacts on their work or academic performance

• 76% of UC Davis campus participants and 92% of UC Davis Health participants responded that the LSP positively impacted their ability to attend work or school as necessary

Over the past year, the program has conducted 567 consultations and had over 153 class attendees, demonstrating extensive support for employees and their transitions back to work.

The UC Davis Medical Center is also a crucial resource for UC Davis employees seeking medical care. Recognized by Newsweek as one of “America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2024,”  the Medical Center offers comprehensive care and support to its patients, including many UC Davis employees. The high-quality maternity services and other healthcare programs reflect the university’s dedication to the well-being of its staff, ensuring they receive the best possible medical care close to their workplace.

UC Davis is committed to supporting trans and non-binary employees through its Trans/Non-Binary Employee toolkit. These resources provide comprehensive support, including workplace transition plans and health benefits tailored to transgender and non-binary employees' needs.

The recent opening of the Gender-Affirming Care Clinic at UC Davis Health is another milestone. This clinic offers care for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals, providing hormone therapy, navigation for gender-affirming surgeries, and sexual and reproductive health services in a welcoming environment. The university aims to create an inclusive environment where all employees feel respected and supported.

Through offering these extensive programs and initiatives, UC Davis continues to build an inclusive environment where women can thrive professionally and personally, reflecting our ongoing dedication to a workplace that values and supports all employees.

How Forbes Compiled Their List

America's Best Employers for Women 2024 were identified in an independent survey from a vast sample of over 150,000 women working for organizations employing at least 1,000 people within the U.S. from all industry sectors. Over 4 million employer evaluations were considered. The result is based on the following three evaluations: 

• Personal Recommendations: Respondents were presented with a battery of statements about their current employer, in terms of topics related to Atmosphere and Development, Diversity, Image, Salary/Wage, Workplace, and Working Conditions, as well as topics women are often confronted with in the workplace: Representation and Career, Pay Equity, Discrimination, Flexibility, Family Support, and Parental Leave. 
• Public Recommendations: Women participants were given the chance to evaluate other employers in their respective industries, or the employers of friends, acquaintances, and family members that stand out either positively or negatively. 
• Diversity Among Top Executives/Board: Index based on the percentage of women among top executives and board directors.