Final answer:
To improve the retention rates of female engineers, the company should support an affinity group, conduct a culture survey, and develop mentor programs and flexible work options. These initiatives aim to create a more inclusive environment and address the specific challenges faced by women in the engineering field.
Step-by-step explanation:
To improve retention rates of female engineers, a company should consider initiating programs that address the specific reasons why women are leaving the field. While increasing compensation might have immediate appeal, it does not tackle the underlying issues. Instead, the more strategic initiatives would involve:
- Supporting an affinity group that can provide a sense of community, mentorship, and peer support.
- Conducting a culture survey to understand the concerns and needs of female engineers within the company, which can then inform tailored interventions.
- Developing workplace mentor programs and flexible work options that can support women through various stages of their career and personal life, encouraging them to stay in the field.
These steps aim to create a more inclusive environment and support professional growth, which are key to retaining talent. Actively recruiting more female engineers is important as well, but to improve retention specifically, the focus should be on inclusive policies and work culture reforms.