UNE recognised as supportive employer of women

February 27, 2007

The Australian Government's Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) has once again recognised the success of the University of New England in promoting the interests of its women employees.

The Agency announced today the recipients of its "Employer of Choice for Women" citations for 2007. UNE, which is one of 131 recipients across the nation this year, has received the annual accolade continuously since 2002.

The EOWA citation is awarded to organisations with more than 100 employees that have demonstrated that they have policies and practices supporting women across the organisation, and that these have had a positive outcome for both women and the business.

Professor Alan Pettigrew, the Vice-Chancellor of UNE, said he was "very proud" of the University's achievement in fostering the careers of its women employees, and delighted by the Agency's continuing recognition of that achievement.

"I take an active part in the process by chairing the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Committee," Professor Pettigrew said, "enabling it to develop a strategy for the whole University."

"That strategy starts with the selection of candidates for employment," he explained. "We train our selection panels in the relevant aspects of equity. The strategy then proceeds into programs that help women through their professional development."

"It's important that UNE, as the largest organisation in the region, sets a good example in this respect," Professor Pettigrew said. "We'd be very happy to work with other organisations to share our experiences and learn from them."

Lyn Tucker, UNE's Employment Equity and Diversity Officer, said that 40 per cent of academic staff and 59 per cent of general staff at UNE were women. "Women hold a number of key positions at UNE," Ms Tucker said, "currently including one Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean, six Associate Deans, and three Heads of School. A number of women also hold senior positions at the levels of Director and Deputy or Assistant Director, and as Heads of Residence."

She said the Agency had particularly commended several of UNE's equity programs, including the training of members of recruitment selection committees, the consideration of women in the allocation of "early career" research grants, and the "Pathways to Careers and Preparation for Promotion" program that focuses on the career development of academic women.

THE PHOTOGRAPH displayed here, taken soon after UNE received its 2006 "Employer of Choice for Women" citation, shows Lyn Tucker with the certificate.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at February 27, 2007 01:34 PM