University and ITC continue strong lead as employers of choice for women
4 Mar 2008 | Bernie Goldie
The University of Wollongong (UOW) and its largest subsidiary, Illawarra Technology Corporation (ITC), have been recognised on a list of 99 Australian organisations as employers of choice for women.
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) today released its list of organisations on its 2008 EOWA Employer of Choice for Women.
With the introduction of six new pre-requisites, including a minimum of six weeks paid maternity leave after 12 months of service; the ability for female managers to work part-time; the percentage of female managers is the same or greater than 27% or the industry average and a pay equity analysis has been undertaken and any gap identified is less than the industry average, the organisations on this list are working hard to fully use their female workforce, EOWA Director Anna McPhee said.
“These businesses have moved beyond simply writing policies and providing basic flexibility. For these organisations creating equity is about changing culture, changing expectations, breaking down the outdated myths about women and finally valuing the massive contribution women make to the workplace whether they are working part-time or full-time, working from home or in the office, starting their careers or nearing retirement.”
The University’s Director of Employment Equity and Diversity, Lynne Wright said, the citation is a "flag" or symbol to all employees and prospective employees that the University of Wollongong has strategies in place which support women at various stages of their lives and careers. “The range of programs and strategies are extensive and support flexible work practices and career advancement. These programs are supported in principal and financially from the Vice-Chancellor and senior executive,” she said.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wollongong, Professor Gerard Sutton, said this was no isolated success for either UOW or the Australian-based operations of the ITC group of Companies as both have been named in the agency’s list for up to six successive years.
CEO and Managing Director of the ITC Group of Companies, Dr James Langridge, said ITC was well aware that all working women can make a contribution to the workforce. “We are more than happy to use the EOWA Employer of Choice for Women requirements to benchmark our own policies and workplace environment.”
Media please note: ITC employee Tricia Koster can be contacted as a case study for the above story on (02) 4221 3212.
For general information contact UOW’s Director of Employment Equity and Diversity, Lynne Wright, on (02) 4221 3917 or Ms Robin Buckham on (02) 4221 4870.
Background information on the 2008 EOWA Employer of Choice for Women organisations available at:
http://www.eowa.gov.au/EOWA_Employer_Of_Choice_For_Women/2008/Media_Page.asp
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