How a Salesforce Program Supports Women Returning to India’s Workforce

Salesforce India is supporting women who have taken a career break through its Return to Work program, which provides women with an opportunity to jumpstart their professional journeys.

Driving the news: The program has already helped more than 70 women across India re-enter the workforce and find careers in tech since its pilot launch in February 2022. The Salesforce India Return to Work program will launch a new cohort in July, connecting nearly 50 women with roles in customer success, sales, and marketing based out of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. 

Why it matters: With India’s fast-growing economy, empowering women in the workforce is crucial for the country’s development. Programs like Return to Work play an important role in advancing gender equality, and supporting the local economy.

How it works: The six-month program is open to women who have taken at least a one-year break from working, have five or more years of work experience, and a graduate or postgraduate degree (or equivalent). It offers them an opportunity to work, learn, and find mentorship opportunities within Salesforce India. 

• Candidates receive classroom and on-the-job training while working on strategic business projects in roles like technology, sales, marketing and customer success, across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi. 
• Candidates are paired with mentors to help them successfully navigate next steps in their careers. 
• At the end of the program, participants are given the opportunity to apply for open roles. To date, 75% of participants have landed full-time jobs.

The Salesforce perspective: “Gender balance and inclusivity are essential for innovation, customer success, and employee satisfaction,” said Arundhati Bhattacharya, CEO and Chairperson of Salesforce India. “As a working mother myself, I understand the challenges of balancing home and a high-performing career. This program is designed to give women a unique opportunity to build a successful career in spite of the challenges, thereby creating role models for others to follow.”

Gender balance and inclusivity are essential for innovation, customer success, and employee satisfaction

Arundhati Bhattacharya, CEO and Chairperson of Salesforce India

What they’re saying:

• “I was lucky to be given the opportunities that came my way immediately after joining the company,” said Mohana Priya, Senior Director of Engineering of Industries Cloud, Salesforce. “While I am passionate about engineering and the work I do, I also believe that achieving the ideal work-life blend is essential for people to give their best at work. Salesforce helps me do that.”
• “Upon telling my children I was going back to work someday, my daughter asked who will cook food and wash clothes if I’m gone,” said Shikha Sharma, Support Engineer, Salesforce. “It hit me hard that my daughter thinks this way. I don’t want my daughter to grow up with this mindset that women only do house chores and can’t go to the office. After my first month in the program, I felt so proud to be a part of Salesforce. The program is designed to make us all successful so we can take steps at our own pace to learn and grow.”
• “When I decided to return to work, I started questioning my ability because of the gap in my work history,” said Ayushi Parmar, Technical Engineer, Salesforce. “I got referred to this wonderful program by Salesforce. Honestly, the moment I submitted my application, I knew this was my aim. While in the program, I got a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with intelligent and innovative people who helped me grow into my current role.”

Explore further: 

• Learn more about the program and how to apply today 
• Read about Mohana Priya’s journey through the Return to Work program and her Salesforce career here
• See how seven women rejoined the workforce through Salesforce’s program here