RMIT University Named Top Employer For LGBTQ inclusion
TECHNOLOGY and design tertiary institution RMIT University, law firm Dentons and community support agency Advance Diversity Services are among this year’s top employers and service providers for LGBTQ inclusion in Australia.
At a preliminary awards announcement for the 2020 Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards held online earlier today, RMIT was named Employer of the Year – for the second year in a row – while Dentons was announced Small Employer of the Year. Advance Diversity Services, which provide support services to culturally and linguistically diverse communities, was named Service Provider of the Year.
Other top honours went to Commonwealth Bank, PwC Australia and University of Western Australia, which all received the highest tiered ranking for LGBTQ inclusion.
Engineering group John Holland was named Most Improved.
The 2020 Australian LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transsexual and queer) Inclusion Awards is Australia’s leading annual celebration of LGBTQ workplace inclusion.
It is hosted by ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs, the national not-for-profit LGBTQ inclusion support program for employers, sporting organisations and service providers. Usually held in May, this year’s event is being held on October 19, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney.
The awards are based on the results of the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) – which is now in its 10th year – and the second Health and Wellbeing Equality Index (HWEI). The AWEI and HWEI are rigorous and evidence-based benchmarking tools that annually assesses workplaces in the progress and impact of LGBTQ inclusion initiatives.
Dawn Hough, director of ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs, said she was excited to have been able to share the initial results of the indices and the wonderful achievements of various organisations in LGBTQ inclusion.
“This year marks an important milestone for the AWEI, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary," Ms Hough said. "Over the past decade, we have seen incredible advancements in workplace diversity and inclusion.
"As we progress further, it remains critical that not only efforts are acknowledged and congratulated, but pressure continues to be applied to maintain and build upon what has been achieved,” Ms Hough said.
“Once again, we have record numbers of employers across all sectors and states participating in the indices. The employee survey that accompanied the AWEI elicited an incredible response, which underscores the importance of LGBTQ inclusion in the workplace.
“Congratulations to all the recipients of the tiered awards announced today, including those the received bronze, silver, gold and platinum status, as well as those that received organisational awards. I commend all of them on their significant achievements and for showing great leadership in LGBTQ inclusion.”
Ms Hough said she looked forward to unveiling the recipients of the individual awards at the luncheon in October, which will hosted by SBS World News presenter Ricardo Gonçalves, feature The Voice 2016 winner Alfie Arcuri and be attended by business leaders, diversity advocates and HR professionals representing a wide variety of industries, sectors and employer sizes.
“Today’s announcement of the finalists of the individual awards gives us an insight into the amazing breadth of work being done by so many in making organisations across Australia more inclusive of LGBTQ people and communities. I look forward to celebrating their achievements at the 2020 Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards,” Ms Hough said.
www.prideinclusionprograms.com.au
PRELIMINARY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Australian Workplace Equality Index
Employer of the year
- RMIT University
Most Improved
- John Holland
Platinum Employers
- Commonwealth Bank
- PwC
- UWA
Gold Employers
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Silver Employers
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Bronze Employers
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Small Employer of the Year
- Dentons
Achievement Award for Most Improved Small Employer
- ADSSI Limited
Gold Small Employers
- ADSSI
- Boston Consulting Group
- Clifford Chance
- Dentons
- McCullough Robertson Lawyers
- Oliver Wyman
- PageGroup
Small Silver employers
- Deutsche Bank
- Gilead Sciences
Small Bronze employers
- Allen & Overy
- Pinsent Masons
- Russell Kennedy Lawyers
Health + Wellbeing Index
Service Provider of the Year
- Advance Diversity Services
Most Improved of the Year
- ADSSI Ltd
Gold employers
- Advance Diversity Services
- Medibank
- Uniting NSW/ACT
Silver employers
- Flourish Australia
- NADA: Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies
- UnitingCare Qld
Bronze employer
- ADSSI Ltd
AWARDS FINALISTS - WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE 2020 AUSTRALIAN LGBTQ INCLUSION AWARDS
Australian Workplace Equality Index
Sally Webster Ally Award Finalists:
- Belinda Young, AGL Energy
- Hannah Wright, EnergyAustralia
- Genevieve Hawkins, Coles
Network Leader of the Year Award Finalists:
- Nathan Eastwood, Clifford Chance
- Ben Brown, QBE
- Mark Sangiuliano, CBRE
Out Role Model Award Finalists:
- Dwayne Mullins, BHP
- Steph Sands, Capgemini
- Cathy Grassick, Australian Federal Police
Executive Leadership Award Finalists:
- Glenn Morgan, Deutsche Bank
- Alicia Albury, Maddocks
- Gordon Williams, MinterEllison
Inclusion of Trans and Gender Diverse Employees Award Finalists:
- RMIT University
- NAB
- Deakin University
Network of the Year Award Finalists:
- P. Morgan
- CBRE
- PwC
- QBE
- RMIT University
Sapphire Inspire Award Finalists:
- Amelia Kondilios PwC
- Alix Sampson, AGL
- Meri Machin-Roberts, KPMG
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