Organisations That Work For Women Get Diversity Prize

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21st November 2008, 11:47pm - Views: 954





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Media Release

Embargo: 2pm 19 November 2007


2008 EOWA BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Organisations that work for women 

get diversity prize


A child rearing rather than a child bearing policy and extending employer superannuation

contributions to women on maternity leave are just some of the initiatives that has

propelled Mercy Healthcare CEO, John Ballard, to be named the Leading CEO for the

Advancement for Women at a business awards event hosted by the Equal Opportunity for

Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) today.


The Mercy Healthcare CEO joined a growing band of business leaders and organisations

that are at the forefront of driving change for a more equitable workplace. EOWA Director

Anna McPhee said, “the winners of the EOWA Business Achievement Awards understand

and embrace the valuable contribution that women can make to their business”.


Winners in other categories are:

Diversity Leader for the Advancement of Women 

Eva Freedman, HSBC Bank Australia Limited

Eva has developed a number of career development programs focussed on networking,

mentoring and coaching. She also lobbied for the HSBC childcare centre which has 85

places and sought approval to apply for a private tax ruling allowing HSBC employees the

option of salary sacrificing centre fees.

Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women (<500 Employees) 

The Cancer Council QLD

Cancer Council Queensland schedules departmental meetings to accommodate staff

working part-time and provides part time working opportunities, working from home

arrangements, flexible working arrangements, and job-sharing. A full review of salary

levels across the job ranges in the organisation is conducted annually to identify

differences in male/ female remuneration. Female casual staff are transitioned to

permanent part time or permanent full time wherever possible.

Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women (>500 Employees) 

Deloitte

Deloitte’s program “Inspiring Women” is a firm wide objective and is a business

strategy focused on increasing the number of women in leadership positions. Deloitte

monitors data to review the retention of women, pay differentials, promotions, ratings

across gender, leadership pipeline, and exit interview data. Proof of Deloitte’s

commitment to women is that the total number of women partners at Deloitte has

increased from 28 partners in FY2004 to 73 partners in FY2008 and 24% of new partners

appointed on July 1, 2008 are women.

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For further information please contact:

Rebecca Barnes 0411 482 738 or 

Nicole Parsons 0412 505 854


Outstanding Initiative/Result for the Advancement of Women 

Dell

The Women in IT Executive Mentoring program was founded with the aim of accelerating

development of leadership skills of women within the IT industry and profession. The

program forms part of a longer term strategy of attracting and retaining women within

participating organisations, and combines one on one mentoring with cross organisational

learning and facilitated group networking.

Outstanding Workplace Flexibility Achieved through Job Re-Design 

ConocoPhillips Australia Pty Ltd 

ConocoPhillips Australia provide a supportive work environment aligned to an individual’s

own circumstances and situation. Of the female employee population 58% are in

manager and or professional roles. 25% of this group are part time or have flexible work

arrangements based on their individual circumstances and business need. 

Outstanding EEO Practice for the Advancement of Women in a Non-Traditional

Area/Role 

Mt Arthur Coal Pty Ltd 

Mt Arthur Coal runs a Trainee Operator Program designed to encourage local candidates

from the Hunter Valley to participate in the program and achieve a nationally recognised

qualification and industry relevant skills, increasing the skilled labour pool for Mt Arthur,

the mining industry and local employers. The selection criteria are based on behavioural

attributes rather than experience in heavy industry or with machinery, thereby levelling

the playing field for females who are applying for non-traditional roles.

Minister’s Award for Outstanding EEO Practice in the Advancement of

Indigenous Women 

SDN Children’s Services Inc 

SDN has recently joined forces with the Aboriginal communities in Redfern and

Alexandria to promote a new program that offers local Aboriginal women the opportunity

to gain experience in child, family and educational settings and encourages them to set

up their own playgroup.


The EOWA Business Achievement Awards is the premier awards event recognising

organisations for the advancement of women.  The finalists were selected by an

independent judging panel comprising Australian Industry Group’s Mark Goodsell,

University of South Australia’s Dr Barbara Pocock as well as Victorian Equal Opportunity

and Human Rights Commission’s, Helen Szoke and AGSM’s Professor Chris Adam.


EOWA’s 2008 Business Achievement Awards are sponsored by American Express,

Australian Industry Group, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Exxon Mobil Australia Pty

Ltd, Freehills, Hays and IBM. 


ENDS


A comprehensive media kit including profiles of all winners and details of media

talent in winning organisations can found in the Media Centre



BAA_Winners.asp










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