The University of Wollongong has been recognised as a national leader in gender equality after it received the Employer of Choice Gender Equity (EOCGE) citation by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
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This delighted UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings, who said the university was continually working to improve the experience of its valued employers.
“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.
With a staff of more than 2300, the UOW understands the value of celebrating diversity and integrating inclusive practices into all areas of employee engagement including recruitment, learning and development and leadership.
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.
“SAGE is providing a focus for our institution on the proportion of female academics in STEMM disciplines,” Professor Wellings said.
“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.”
Mentoring workshops, targeted development programs, flexible work arrangements (such as part time and job sharing), generous paid parental leave and on campus childcare facilities are other policies and initiatives that UOW actively promotes to enhance gender equality.