Said to employ females (4)
I believe the answer is:
ewes
'females' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'said to employ' is the wordplay.
'said' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'to employ' becomes 'use' (synonyms).
'use' is a homophone of 'EWES'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ewes that I've seen before include "Female sheep" , "members of flock" , "farm animals" , "Adult sheep" , "Sheep (females)" .)