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The University of Western Australia has been recognised nationally as an Employer of Choice for Women for the 10th consecutive year.

UWA is one of 125 organisations around Australia to be recognised by the Federal Government authority which administers the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act (EOWA).  The citation was announced by EOWA Director Helen Conway.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said the University had worked hard during the past two decades to position itself as a national leader in gender equity initiatives and achievements.

"UWA has been leading in gender equity reform over the past 18 years and this will continue," Professor Johnson said.

"When you improve the workplace for women, you improve it for all staff - positively impacting productivity, staff satisfaction and retention."

UWA's Leadership Development For Women program, now in its 19th year, positions women in leadership roles with confidence and success and encourages an organisational culture that welcomes women's involvement in leadership and decision making at all levels of the University.

This major reform was supported by a generous and flexible UWA staff parental leave scheme offering up to 36 weeks' paid leave for parents, including same-sex couples.

UWA Associate Director of Equity and Diversity Beverley Hill said UWA continued to focus on removing structural barriers that could impede the careers of female staff.  The University had conducted its second full pay equity audit, to establish the pay gap between male and female staff.

"These analyses assist the University to refine the way discretionary payments are awarded to staff, to ensure transparency, consistency and equity.  We are also looking more closely at the metrics used to measure performance, in recognition of the fact that staff with non-traditional career paths often have less opportunity to accrue merit.  We want to be able to better position our staff with part-time, delayed or dual careers so that they can maximise the opportunities available to them to be productive and engaged in the organisation."

Media references

Beverley Hill (UWA Associate Director Equity and Diversity)  (+61 8)  6488 3791
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716