February 22, 2018

UOW recognised as a national leader in gender equality

UOW named employer of choice by WGEA. 

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has been recognised by the Federal Government as one of the best workplaces in Australia for gender equality, receiving the Employer of Choice Gender Equity (EOCGE) citation by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).

UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings CBE, said UOW was delighted to be recognised as a leader in gender equality, with UOW continually working to improve the experience of its valued employees.

"We need to ensure that we are maintaining the tempo in workforce diversity policy and practice," he said.

"Achieving the employer of choice citation is a great acknowledgement of the progress being made."

The WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.

As a large organisation with more than 2,300 staff, UOW understands the value of celebrating diversity and integrating inclusive practices into all areas of employee engagement including recruitment, learning and development and leadership.

This aims to ensure a dynamic, engaged and responsive workforce ready to face the challenges and opportunities both now and into the future.

UOW is also a participant in the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Pilot. Based on the successful UK Athena SWAN model, this accreditation and improvement program recognises commitment to advancing women's careers in traditionally male-dominated disciplines.

The SAGE Pilot is committed to upholding the ten principles of the Athena SWAN Charter, aimed at further enhancing opportunities for women in academia.

"SAGE is providing a focus for our institution on the proportion of female academics in STEMM disciplines. There is a body of work being undertaken as part of our participation in the SAGE Pilot, including both large and small interventions, that collectively can enhance the careers for all our staff," Professor Wellings said.

Other policies, strategies and initiatives that UOW actively promotes in order to enhance gender equality include mentoring workshops, targeted development programs, flexible work arrangements (such as part time and job sharing) generous paid parental leave and on campus childcare facilities.