How Retailers Are Building Cultures That Women Want to Join

CHICAGO -- Flexible hours and maternity leave aren’t the only features that make a business a great place for women to work. Often, the policies that make a solid workplace for women are important to men too. In fact, two major factors in female employees’ job satisfaction are being treated like full team members, no matter their role, and the opportunity to make a difference at their company, according to a survey and ranking from Fortune and Great Place to Work. Retailers Sheetz and QuikTrip both earned a spot on Fortune’s Best Workplaces for Women.

Here are some of the initiatives that help these c-stores win over their female workforce ...

Sheetz Inc., the 524-unit c-store chain based in Altoona, Pa., gets employee buy-in with its staff stock ownership program, according to Great Place to Work. Once workers have one year under their belt, they become company shareholders. The stock options vary depending on years of service and salary level. The research shows that profit-sharing benefits help link female workers' role to the company mission.

For female workers at QuikTrip Corp., a Tulsa, Okla.-based retailer with 740 locations, an annual meeting with CEO Chet Cadieux gives them a chance to give feedback directly to the top executive. Cadieux also shares his five-year plan for the company and its current state of affairs. “The thing about Chet, he is transparent in what is going on with QuikTrip; it is what it is!” said one survey respondent. Attendees also walk away from the event with a gift and the chance to win money or a weeklong vacation.

Benefits that help women learn new skills and take on new responsibilities are other features of the companies on the list. Not only do Sheetz employees get $1,500 a year to put toward an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree, but they also receive tuition discounts at 26 universities. Employees aren’t the only beneficiaries of the chain’s education opportunities. Team members’ children can also take advantage of the company’s $5,000 and $10,000 scholarships.