July 23, 2015

UOW championing workplace equality and diversity

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings CBE has raised the bar for UOW’s commitment to gender equality and diversity, with revised workplace policies in place to support those aims.

UOW is seeking a Workplace Gender Equality Agency Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation, which fulfils requirements under the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 and reflects the change in focus of the legislation to promote and improve gender equality outcomes for both women and men.

Achieving gender equality in the workplace requires workplaces to provide equal pay for women and men for work of equal or comparable value and removing barriers to the full and equal participation of women in the workforce.

It also enables genuine and full access to all occupations and industries, including to leadership roles for women and men as well as eliminating discrimination on the basis of gender particularly in relation to family and caring responsibilities for both women and men.

Professor Wellings said a raft of policy measures would ensure UOW was a leader in workplace gender equality.

“All people working at UOW should feel they are able to access and enjoy the same rewards, resources and opportunities regardless of whether they are a woman or a man,” he said. “It’s not only the fair and just thing to do, it will help this University achieve great things by creating an environment in which our many talented people can reach their potential.

“Since I shared with the University community my commitment to gender equality we have formed a Workforce Diversity Reference Group (WDRG) to advise on equity matters including the gender pay gap, which I am equally committed to addressing.

“The UOW Employment Equity and Diversity Management Strategy has been revised and will help us address these important issues.”

Other recent changes include an extension of Maternity Leave provisions to all genders and making the completion of EO Online compulsory every two years. 

Professor Wellings said all managers should ensure that they are familiar with the strategy, as they will have a role in championing gender equality in their business units.

The updated policies, strategy and other useful information can be read on the employment, equality and inclusion webpage.