Woolworths Group is the first major food retailer to receive the citation.
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) announced today the list of 2020-22 WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation holders.
This year, 17 organisations received the two-year citation, joining the existing group of 119 citation holders for the 2019-21 period. The citation recognises employer commitment and best practice in promoting gender equality in Australian workplaces.
First-time recipients of the citation include retail giant Woolworths Group Ltd, Australia’s largest private employer, and biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Pty Ltd, which is responsible for manufacturing one of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Libby Lyons, Director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, welcomed the new cohort of EOCGE citation holders and applauded their commitment to achieving the EOCGE citation while simultaneously coping with the operational impacts to their business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The trends among this year’s recipients include:
- entrenching flexible work across the organisation
- programs to support women into leadership
- tailored parental leave policies to support both women and men
- supporting men’s caring responsibilities
- robust analysis and correction of gender pay gaps
“The WGEA EOCGE citation is recognised as a rigorous guide for employers to implement leading-practice initiatives to achieve gender equality in their workplaces,” said Ms Lyons.
“This year, we are delighted to welcome 17 new EOCGE citation holders joining the existing group of 119 from 2019-21.
“2020 was a very challenging year for all employers. Yet, despite the tremendous upheaval and disruption caused to Australian businesses by the COVID-19 pandemic, these organisations maintained a resolute commitment to achieving their EOCGE citation.
“I want to sincerely thank and congratulate these employers for their dedication and acknowledge their extraordinary efforts in these trying times. We know that gender equality is good for business and crucial to our post-COVID-19 economic recovery. By driving better gender equality outcomes in their workplaces, these EOCGE citation holders are setting a fine example in showing the way forward for other Australian businesses”, said Ms Lyons.
Media Contact: Murray Black 0438 071 876 / E murray.black@wgea.gov.au
About the Agency: The Workplace Gender Equality Agency is an Australian Government statutory agency charged with promoting and improving gender equality in Australian workplaces. www.wgea.gov.au.
About the citation
The WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.
The EOCGE citation commenced in 2014, replacing the predecessor citation, the EOWA Employer of Choice for Women. The citation is strategically aligned with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Act), reflecting the change in focus of the legislation to promote and improve gender equality for both women and men, while recognising the historically disadvantaged position of women in the workplace.
The EOCGE citation is a voluntary leading-practice recognition program that is separate to compliance with the Act.
Criteria for the citation cover leadership, strategy and accountability, developing a gender-balanced workforce, gender pay equity, support for caring, mainstreaming flexible working, preventing gender-based harassment and discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying and targets for improving gender equality outcomes.
New prerequisites for 2020-22 are:
- Manager training on flexible working must include how to address gender stereotypes preventing men from requesting flexible working arrangements.
- The adoption of procurement guidelines encouraging gender equality across an organisation’s supply chain.
2020-22 WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality
citation holders
| Arup Australia Services Pty Ltd | AstraZeneca Pty Ltd |
| ASX Limited | Bank of Queensland Limited |
| Charter Hall Holdings Pty Limited | GHD Pty Ltd |
| IMB Ltd | Individual Empowerment Network Pty Ltd |
| Johnson & Johnson Pty Ltd | MAX Solutions |
| Motorola Solutions Australia | NRMA Limited |
| Pernod Ricard Winemakers Pty Ltd | Pitt & Sherry Operations Pty Ltd |
| Queensland Law Society Inc | Sanofi-Aventis |
| Woolworths Group |
A list of all current WGEA EOCGE citation holder is available below:
A list of the current WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation holders.