Give to gain: Why the secret to a thriving workplace is lifting each other up

March 8th isn't just a date on the calendar; it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the incredible women making waves in our lives and our workplaces - and the challenges they face to get there.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Give to Gain.” At Heka, we love this. It’s not about a transactional "I’ll do this if you do that." It’s about the reality that when we give our time, our energy, and our support to the women around us, the whole collective wins. When we invest in supportive environments and mentorship, we don't just "help" people - we unlock innovation, boost retention, and build a truly supportive workplace where women can thrive.

The power of the "giving" mindset

In the past, we’ve talked about how knowledge is power; how supporting women at every stage of their career is essential.

"Give to Gain" takes that a step further. It asks us: What are you putting into the ecosystem? When a senior leader* gives an hour a week to mentor a rising star, they gain a fresh perspective and a more engaged future leader. When a company gives flexibility and real wellbeing support, they gain loyalty and a team that doesn't burn out.

It’s the ultimate win-win.

*Top tip: that mentor does not need to be a woman - everyone should be investing in championing women in the workplace.

Why mentorship is the ultimate investment

Mentorship is often the missing piece in the career puzzle for many women. It’s more than just advice; it’s about advocacy.

• Giving access: Mentors open doors that might otherwise stay shut. They invite mentees into the "room where it happens."
• Gaining confidence: There is nothing quite like having someone you respect say, "You’ve got this, and here’s how you handle that challenge."
• The ripple effect: When one woman is mentored, she is statistically more likely to mentor others. 89% of those who have been mentored go on to mentor others.

Creating a truly supportive environment

We’ve all seen ‘wellbeing washing’ - where a company gives IWD air-time in a Town Hall but does nothing to change their culture. To truly Give to Gain, the support needs to be structural.

A supportive workplace for women looks like:

1. Psychological safety: A space where you can speak up about burnout, conflicting needs, and women’s health and career goals without fear of judgment.
2. Active allyship: Support women must not be the job of women only. It’s about everyone in the team calling out bias and ensuring credit is given where it's due.
3. Holistic wellbeing: A woman’s career doesn't exist in a vacuum (nor does anyone's). Whether it’s flexible hours for childcare or mental health days, supporting the person helps the professional thrive.

Supporting women all year round

International Women’s Day is a spark, but it shouldn’t be the only flame. If we only talk about mentorship and support in March, we’re missing the point. Real change happens by supporting women everyday. It happens in Tuesday morning 1-to-1s in November and the policy reviews in July. Women face unique health and career challenges every single day - not just during a designated awareness month.

At Heka, this is our "why." We believe that for a workplace to be truly supportive, it has to be consistent. Our platform doesn't just "switch on" for IWD. We provide:

• Preventative health support: From menopause fertility support, we give women the tools to manage their health on their own terms, every day of the year.
• Personalised growth: Whether it’s career coaching or mental health resources, we ensure every woman has access to the specific support they need to achieve their goals.
• A culture of care: By making wellbeing a daily habit rather than a monthly event, we help companies build environments where women feel valued, heard, and supported 365 days a year.

What will you give this year?

As we head into International Women's Day 2026, we’re challenging ourselves and our partners to think about their "Give."

Maybe it’s becoming a mentor. Maybe it’s finally implementing that flexible working policy you’ve been debating. Or maybe it’s just taking five minutes to tell a female colleague exactly why her work is indispensable.

When we give support, we gain a world where everyone has the chance to be happy, healthy, and successful. And at Heka, that’s exactly what we’re here for.

Happy International Women’s Day! Let’s keep lifting as we climb.

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