As Europe’s most wired country, The Netherlands is a great place to work in tech. Alone, Amsterdam’s tech ecosystem is the third-ranked in Europe, currently valued at €73 billion up from €10 billion in 2015. From startups to multinationals, tech companies of all sizes tap into The Netherlands’ technological environment. There’s a reason why major players like IBM, Microsoft and Google chose the Netherlands for their European headquarters, R&D facilities and more.

However, as we know not all tech companies are created equal when it comes to how they treat their women employees. 62% of women in technology have experienced toxic work cultures within the last 5 years according to one survey, with outdated stereotypes and ways of working holding women back. 

Legislation now allows all employees to request flexible working, gender pay gap reporting is mandatory and boards and executive teams are welcoming more women into their ranks. Despite these improvements, some employers stand head and shoulders above the rest in their work to help women reach parity in their technologist workforce. Here, in no particular order, we highlight the best of the best companies in The Netherlands for women in tech. 

 1. IBM

With offices across The Netherlands, this global technology company provides hardware, software, cloud-based services and cognitive computing to the masses. 

But did you know they also provide a generous parental leave scheme? With 20 weeks of paid maternal leave, flexible working, and a variety of career development programs, it’s no surprise IBM regularly features on DiversityInc’s Top 50 list for the best diverse companies.

 2. Unilever

With a strong presence in The Netherlands dating back to 1930, the multinational consumer goods company Unilever has been widely recognised for reaching out to create a balanced number of STEM graduates and trainees within their company. Unilever’s gender pay gap report shows their median stands at -2.2%. It’s not perfect, but we appreciate progress. 

Bringing them up the ranks, they have shared new maternity and paternity leave policies, networks for women, and better opportunities for female employees to progress and develop. Women can also take paid time off for fertility procedures, bereavement and back up childcare. 

  3. Booking.com

The Dutch online travel agency’s inclusiveness starts with its employees, representing over 140 nationalities and a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations. The range of employee groups who contribute to this culture include B.proud for LGBTQ+ employees and allies, B.able for physically disabled and neuro-diverse colleagues. B.bold works towards empowering black employees and B.equal, for women and their allies.

 4. Spotify

With 38% of leadership positions made up by women, audio-streaming and media services provider Spotify is doing more than most. Offering employees extensive learning opportunities, flexible share incentives, global parental leave and access to their employee assistance program and self-care hub, Spotify takes their employees wellbeing seriously. 

Fourteen diverse employee resource groups elevate the voices that are underrepresented and offer a place for people to share their experiences, offer support, develop leadership and help the business better understand their needs. And, of course, there is one just for the women of Spotify. 

 5. Netflix

Last year, women grew to more than half of Netflix’s global workforce, hitting 51.7% in 2021 compared with 48.7% in 2020. Making up the subscription streaming service’s leadership ranks, women represent 51.1% of the total. That’s putting your money where your mouth is.

And for women looking to start a family, it doesn’t get much more supportive than Netflix’s family forming benefit. This benefit is available to employees during their fertility, surrogacy, or adoption journey, with Netflix also offering an allowance to support you in covering the costs of your family-forming journey. 

 6. Salesforce

Cloud-based software company, Salesforce’s ongoing commitment to equal pay makes it an appealing opportunity to potential women employees, with pay disparity being a major ongoing issue for women in tech. 

Salesforce Women’s Network supports and amplifies the progress of women through professional and personal development, allyship, supportive connections and action on gender equality. They notably support the #IamRemarkable initiative, a Google initiative empowering women and other underrepresented groups to celebrate their achievements in the workplace and beyond, as well as offering Gender Equality focused VTO, and Safe Space Discussions. 

 7. Bynder

One of the most innovative tech companies pioneering the SaaS model within the Digital Asset Management space, hybrid work is part of the culture at Bynder. Championing flexible and remote working practices since 2018, an issue highlighted again and again by women in tech, they are also the first Dutch company to introduce unlimited vacation policy. 

If that wasn’t incentive enough, they are also among the signatories of the ScaleUp Diversity, Equity & Inclusion pledge, committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. 

8. Adyen 

Adyen’s Women’s Leadership Network is just one great reason to work there. The Dutch payment company’s inclusion policy centres around three core principles – Equal Pay, Equal Chance, and Normal course of life. This includes their commitment to avoiding unconscious biases, their same role, same pay policy, and no one-size-fits-all approach when dealing with life events such as starting a family or coping with challenging times. 

 9. Hubs

A prototype company, Hub’s Culture Ambassadors program helps keep the company accountable, providing fresh perspectives and a continuous bottom up way to build their culture. 

Their women’s network is amongst the range of programs they offer to improve their diversity and inclusion knowledge. They also include access to women in tech events, flexible working, period days and mental health days. Oh, and they also have office dogs. We even hosted our own “Pregnant, then screwed?” Meetup with Hubs. Read more about our event here.

10.  Philips

Telecommuting, flex work schedules and compressed workweeks are all available for employees at conglomerate corporation Philips. With perks that focus on the areas, emotional health, career health, physical health, and financial health, some of our personal favourites include college preparation for children of employees, up to $400 for wellness based activities, and eight weeks of paid maternity leave.