In today’s evolving Australian workplace landscape, we are witnessing a gradual transformation toward gender equity, yet reports still highlight disparities, underscoring the need for transformative action. Great Place To Work takes pride in assessing and spotlighting organisations committed to creating an equitable environment for women in the workplace.
Our recent evaluation of Australian workplaces has unveiled a cadre of organisations dedicated to national gender inclusivity. Together, we’re fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees, regardless of gender, can feel safe, seen and heard.
The Best Workplaces™ for Women List 2023 celebrates organisations dedicated to fostering equity, ensuring women feel respected and valued. This recognition marks a significant step forward, signifying progress in creating an inclusive working environment. It also serves as a source of inspiration for other organisations to drive further progress in gender equality.
So, what sets these organisations apart?
1. Gender Balance Is a Priority
These companies set targets for gender-balanced representation at all levels, with most striving for 50% female representation within management teams and keeps a close eye on attrition rates among women. Initiatives focus on women in leadership, encompassing senior roles, partner levels as well as committee and board appointments.
2. Fair and Inclusive Metrics
The companies prioritise equity and inclusion in employee touchpoints such as hiring, promotions, and compensation. Gender-neutral job descriptions and balanced selection panels ensure fair recruitment. They have structures and systems are in place to monitor and eliminate promotion bias, to facilitate fair promotion of women.
3. Close the Gender Pay Gap
Salary benchmarking and gender pay gap reviews are conducted annually, and openly publishing the findings foster transparent discussions to rectify disparities and ensure fair salaries. Companies also formalise this is with annual submission on pay equity to agencies such as Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
4. Value Women’s Experience
The Best Workplaces for Women have Business Resource Groups (BRGs) or Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that focus on supporting women, providing a platform for sharing experiences, driving equality, promoting fair opportunities for success, and championing gender diversity.
5. Address Gender-Based Domestic Violence
Further to government mandated Family and Domestic Abuse leave, these companies offer added support for victims, including extended leave, counselling, and temporary housing. Some go beyond by leading community education and awareness programs, employee groups-led programs such as building long term housing for women and families who have suffered from domestic and family abuse; and help transition women from welfare to the workforce.
6. Building Aspiration in Young Women
Companies foster aspirations for girls and young women by involving primary and high school students, motivating their future participation in the workforce. This includes increased efforts from companies in traditionally male-dominated sectors like technology, engineering, construction, warehousing, and logistics. Programs targeting the aspirations and leadership development of girls and women include career guidance and mapping sessions, mentoring, school-based traineeships/apprenticeships, and opportunities such as summer jobs or work experience placements.
The journey toward gender equality in the workplace is ongoing. By learning from these leading practices, other organisations can join the movement, fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse professional landscape for all.
For a company to be recognised as a Best Workplace for Women™, a minimum of 100 employees with at least 50 women is required. Evaluation is based on female representation in the workforce, management, and workplace experience through the Trust Index survey.
To view the full list visit: Australia’s Best Workplaces™ for Women 2024 – Great Place To Work Australia
For other leading practices and full insights download our 2023 Insights Report here:
Findings from 2023 Demographic Study on Gender
