NFPs Leading the Way on Gender Equality

Not for Profits have been recognised by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, making the inaugural list of Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation holders with 76 organisations making the cut.

WGEA Director Helen Conway said it was fantastic to see such a diverse mix of organisations raising the bar in their efforts to improve gender equality.

“The spread of industries and organisational size in this year’s list of citation holders is truly impressive and highlights that it’s not just the big of end town that realises the value of taking a strategic and systematic approach to achieving a gender diverse workforce,” Conway said.

Among the commercial businesses that were cited on the list, NFP Villa Maria, which provides life enhancing opportunities for older people and children and adults with disability, was also congratulated.

Villa Maria CEO Valerie Lyons said it was extremely important that the organisation have a workplace culture of transparency and equity and “walk the talk” on gender equality.

“Villa Maria has been a proud recipient of the Employer of Choice for Women Award (EOWA) in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and I am excited that we are, once again, in a position to highlight our commitment to workplace gender equality – for women and men,” Lyons said.

“It has been a personal and professional passion of mine to ensure that all roles – including those in governance, management and leadership – are open to everyone, irrespective of gender.”

Conway said reflecting the more rigorous requirements, 76 organisations had been awarded the 2014 EOCGE citation, down from 125 recipients when the predecessor citation, the EOWA Employer of Choice for Women, was last awarded in 2012.

“We know sustained and multi-faceted interventions are required to address the structural and cultural barriers that prevent women and men from equally participating at all levels of an organisation. This year’s citation holders have each demonstrated their commitment to maximising the full potential of their entire talent pool,” she said.

“Future job seekers, investors and procurement officers who are committed to working for, investing in and buying from organisations with best practice talent management strategies should refer to this list first. These organisations are the best of the best.

She said the 2014 applications highlighted a growing recognition of the need to integrate men into diversity initiatives with a focus on promoting acceptance around men taking parental leave and working flexibly.

“Achieving gender equality depends on men taking a more active caring role and this necessarily requires more active support from employers to change norms so that flexibility and caring is not a career killer for women and men,” she said.

“Best practice CEOs know they must not let their achievements in the area of gender equality breed complacency; they know it’s essential to maintain and indeed accelerate their efforts if they are to achieve sustainable change.