News

ACU named Employer of Choice for Gender Equality for the ninth consecutive year

ACU has been recognised as a leader in workplace gender equality for the ninth consecutive year.

The Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation* is awarded by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.

WGEA Director Libby Lyons said the organisation had awarded 119 EOCGE citations this year with all citation holders united by their determination and commitment to achieving workplace gender equality.

“Since its inception in 2014, the WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation has provided a rigorous and evidence-based guide for employers to chart a course towards achieving gender equality in their workplaces,” Ms Lyons said.

“New research just released by WGEA and the University of Queensland’s AIBE Centre for Gender Equality in the Workplace shows that the targeted and strategic action EOCGE citation holders are taking has delivered significant improvements.”

“They are closing their pay gaps and increasing their representation of women in management at a faster rate than other employers in our dataset. These findings alone demonstrate the tangible impact of the EOCGE citation.”

WGEA has this year strengthened the citation eligibility criteria by placing even greater emphasis on accountability, outcomes, evidence and internal reporting processes.

ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Greg Craven said the citation was a great acknowledgement of the progress ACU is making to improve gender equality in the workplace, cementing ACU’s reputation as an equal opportunity employer.

“ACU is an attractive employer because of our commitment to embedding gender equality in our culture through the workplace supports we provide our people,” Professor Craven said.

“To again receive this recognition is an extremely satisfying result and reflects the progress of our Gender Equality Strategy (GES) 2015-2020. We are proud to once again be recognised as a leader of gender equality in the sector.”

ACU continues to progress the achievements of its Gender Equality Strategy by:

• Employing approximately 60 per cent of women in leadership and management roles.
• Our leading practice parental leave policy and associated entitlements for women and men
• Providing access to flexible work practices.
• Our commitment to gender pay equity and conducting an annual pay gap analysis.
• Providing 10 days paid leave for staff experiencing domestic violence, including access to other leave on a case-by-case basis.

*Previously known as the EOWA Employer of Choice for Women citation.