Media Release
Embargo: 2pm 19 November 2007
2008 EOWA BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Organisations that work for women
get diversity prize
A child rearing rather than a child bearing policy and extending employer superannuation
contributions to women on maternity leave are just some of the initiatives that has
propelled Mercy Healthcare CEO, John Ballard, to be named the Leading CEO for the
Advancement for Women at a business awards event hosted by the Equal Opportunity for
Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) today.
The Mercy Healthcare CEO joined a growing band of business leaders and organisations
that are at the forefront of driving change for a more equitable workplace. EOWA Director
Anna McPhee said, “the winners of the EOWA Business Achievement Awards understand
and embrace the valuable contribution that women can make to their business”.
Winners in other categories are:
Diversity Leader for the Advancement of Women
Eva Freedman, HSBC Bank Australia Limited
Eva has developed a number of career development programs focussed on networking,
mentoring and coaching. She also lobbied for the HSBC childcare centre which has 85
places and sought approval to apply for a private tax ruling allowing HSBC employees the
option of salary sacrificing centre fees.
Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women (<500 Employees)
The Cancer Council QLD
Cancer Council Queensland schedules departmental meetings to accommodate staff
working part-time and provides part time working opportunities, working from home
arrangements, flexible working arrangements, and job-sharing. A full review of salary
levels across the job ranges in the organisation is conducted annually to identify
differences in male/ female remuneration. Female casual staff are transitioned to
permanent part time or permanent full time wherever possible.
Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women (>500 Employees)
Deloitte
Deloitte’s program “Inspiring Women” is a firm wide objective and is a business
strategy focused on increasing the number of women in leadership positions. Deloitte
monitors data to review the retention of women, pay differentials, promotions, ratings
across gender, leadership pipeline, and exit interview data. Proof of Deloitte’s
commitment to women is that the total number of women partners at Deloitte has
increased from 28 partners in FY2004 to 73 partners in FY2008 and 24% of new partners
appointed on July 1, 2008 are women.
For further information please contact:
Rebecca Barnes 0411 482 738 or
Nicole Parsons 0412 505 854
Outstanding Initiative/Result for the Advancement of Women
Dell
The Women in IT Executive Mentoring program was founded with the aim of accelerating
development of leadership skills of women within the IT industry and profession. The
program forms part of a longer term strategy of attracting and retaining women within
participating organisations, and combines one on one mentoring with cross organisational
learning and facilitated group networking.
Outstanding Workplace Flexibility Achieved through Job Re-Design
ConocoPhillips Australia Pty Ltd
ConocoPhillips Australia provide a supportive work environment aligned to an individual’s
own circumstances and situation. Of the female employee population 58% are in
manager and or professional roles. 25% of this group are part time or have flexible work
arrangements based on their individual circumstances and business need.
Outstanding EEO Practice for the Advancement of Women in a Non-Traditional
Area/Role
Mt Arthur Coal Pty Ltd
Mt Arthur Coal runs a Trainee Operator Program designed to encourage local candidates
from the Hunter Valley to participate in the program and achieve a nationally recognised
qualification and industry relevant skills, increasing the skilled labour pool for Mt Arthur,
the mining industry and local employers. The selection criteria are based on behavioural
attributes rather than experience in heavy industry or with machinery, thereby levelling
the playing field for females who are applying for non-traditional roles.
Minister’s Award for Outstanding EEO Practice in the Advancement of
Indigenous Women
SDN Children’s Services Inc
SDN has recently joined forces with the Aboriginal communities in Redfern and
Alexandria to promote a new program that offers local Aboriginal women the opportunity
to gain experience in child, family and educational settings and encourages them to set
up their own playgroup.
The EOWA Business Achievement Awards is the premier awards event recognising
organisations for the advancement of women. The finalists were selected by an
independent judging panel comprising Australian Industry Group’s Mark Goodsell,
University of South Australia’s Dr Barbara Pocock as well as Victorian Equal Opportunity
and Human Rights Commission’s, Helen Szoke and AGSM’s Professor Chris Adam.
EOWA’s 2008 Business Achievement Awards are sponsored by American Express,
Australian Industry Group, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Exxon Mobil Australia Pty
Ltd, Freehills, Hays and IBM.
ENDS
A comprehensive media kit including profiles of all winners and details of media
talent in winning organisations can found in the Media Centre
BAA_Winners.asp
NEWS 
