By: Melville Brooks, director of Talent Management, Omega Healthcare Philippines

Women have made significant strides in the workplace, contributing their skills, leadership, and innovation across industries, particularly in healthcare. Ensuring they have an environment where they can thrive is both a moral responsibility and a strategic advantage.

In the Philippines, women make up a substantial portion of the workforce, with approximately 21.9 million employed as of December 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This underscores the importance of prioritizing gender diversity and empowerment to attract and retain talent while fostering collaboration, productivity, and long-term business success.

As the country celebrates National Women’s Month this March, Omega Healthcare reaffirms its commitment to empowering women in the workforce. As a strong advocate of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the company is dedicated to cultivating a workplace where women feel valued, supported, and equipped to succeed.

To build an environment where women can thrive, organizations must implement intentional policies and practices that promote equal opportunities, recognize achievements, and foster an inclusive culture, among others. Here are key strategies, inspired by Omega Healthcare’s initiatives, that help create a supportive workplace where women can reach their full potential.

Foster a safe and inclusive work environment
A workplace where women feel safe, respected, and valued enables them to contribute fully, collaborate effectively, and pursue career growth with confidence. Organizations that prioritize inclusivity foster a culture where employees can express ideas, take on new challenges, and advance without fear of discrimination or harassment.

At Omega Healthcare, employees are at the heart of the organization, and their well-being remains a top priority. The company is committed to creating a work environment where women feel supported and empowered.

Promote equal opportunities
Creating a workplace where women can thrive includes ensuring equal opportunities, making it essential for organizations to implement policies that promote gender equality. This includes fair hiring practices, equal access to career development, and leadership opportunities. At Omega Healthcare, these principles are embedded in our workplace culture. For instance, the company has a strict non-discrimination policy in recruitment that focuses on candidates' skills and potential rather than personal characteristics.

Beyond recruitment, the company actively works to eliminate biases in performance evaluations and career advancement. This commitment to equity is reflected in its workforce, which includes 1,433 women and 999 men. Notably, women are steadily making strides in leadership, with 27 holding leadership positions alongside 42 men. Omega Healthcare is actively fostering an environment where more women can rise to leadership roles and drive meaningful contributions to the organization.

Provide access to training and talent development programs
Training and talent development programs are essential for enhancing individual performance and career growth. Ensuring that women have access to structured learning opportunities equips them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in their roles and advance into leadership positions. Through continuous training, upskilling initiatives, and career development programs, organizations can empower women to overcome barriers and reach their full potential.

At Omega Healthcare, employees have equal access to a wide array of training programs—from those designed for new hires to leadership development initiatives. The company offers comprehensive training tailored to employees’ specific roles, whether in patient interaction, medical coding, nursing, or other specialized fields. For employees with leadership potential, Omega Healthcare provides specialized development programs, including the High Potential (HiPo) training program, which enhances expertise in quality, operations, and training.

To support leadership readiness, Omega Healthcare offers structured programs such as the First Time Leader Program, which helps employees transition from individual contributors to team leaders, and the Lead the Leader Program, which equips first-time managers with the skills needed to lead frontline leaders effectively. By fostering an inclusive learning environment where women have equal access to professional development, organizations can cultivate a culture of innovation, improve decision-making, and build a stronger, more diverse workforce.

Ensure supportive workplace policies and fair employee benefits
Supportive workplace policies and fair employee benefits help women balance their professional and personal responsibilities while maintaining their well-being. Organizations that prioritize inclusive policies foster a culture of empowerment and demonstrate a commitment to employee support. At Omega Healthcare, workplace policies promote work-life balance, including a breastfeeding policy that provides dedicated facilities and support for nursing mothers. Work schedules are also structured to prevent excessive overtime, with any additional work planned in advance and fairly compensated. This allows women, especially those with families, to manage their careers while fulfilling personal responsibilities.

Beyond these policies, Omega Healthcare offers a comprehensive benefits package, including HMO coverage with dependents, group life and accident insurance, compensatory time off, bereavement assistance, annual appraisals, and free flu vaccinations. Women employees also receive legally mandated benefits such as vacation and sick leave, Special Leave Benefits for Women (Magna Carta of Women), Maternity Leave, Parental Leave for Solo Parents, and Leave for Victims of Violence, among others. By providing these policies and benefits, Omega Healthcare ensures that women have the support they need to thrive both professionally and personally.

Recognize and celebrate achievements
Acknowledging the contributions and successes of female employees enhances confidence, motivation, and job satisfaction, inspiring them to strive for excellence. When women see their hard work recognized, they gain confidence in their abilities and feel more motivated to grow within the company. Additionally, celebrating the achievements of women across different roles provides positive role models, fostering a culture of encouragement and career progression.

Omega Healthcare ensures that our recognition programs are fair, transparent, and inclusive, providing equal opportunities for employees at all levels—from frontline staff to managers and executives—to be acknowledged for their contributions. One key initiative is the Omega Global Awards (OGA), an annual event that celebrates outstanding employees across the company’s delivery centers in the United States, India, and the Philippines. This prestigious recognition program highlights employees whose dedication and accomplishments reflect Omega Healthcare’s values, mission, and commitment to excellence.

Recognized for commitment to an inclusive workplace
Omega Healthcare’s dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment has earned the company notable industry recognition. In the Philippines, it was named one of the country’s Best Employers for 2025 by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and global research firm Statista. Ranking 14th among IT, Internet, Software, and Services companies, this recognition highlights Omega Healthcare’s employee-centric culture and commitment to workplace excellence.


Additionally, its India operations recently received the International Award for Excellence in Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Recruitment from Corporate Vision at the Sixth Annual Corporate Coaching and Recruitment Awards. This accolade reflects the effectiveness of the company’s talent acquisition initiatives in attracting top healthcare professionals.

As women continue to play a vital role in the workforce, Omega Healthcare stands with the nation in celebrating National Women’s Month. Beyond this month-long observance, the company remains dedicated to continuously evolving its policies, programs, and initiatives to foster a workplace where women can thrive, grow, and lead.