UNE continues to be an 'employer of choice for women'

March 06, 2008

The University of New England has maintained its nationally-recognised status as an "Employer of Choice for Women". UNE is one of 99 organisations named this week by the Australian Government's Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) as holders of this status for 2008.

This is the seventh successive year that UNE has been awarded an EOWA "Employer of Choice for Women" citation (pictured here). The Agency awards these citations to non-government organisations with more than 80 employees that have demonstrated they have policies and practices supporting women across the organisation, and that these policies have had a positive outcome for both women and the business.

Professor Alan Pettigrew, the Vice-Chancellor of UNE, said he was "delighted" about the University's achievement in fostering the careers of its women employees, and pleased that the Agency continued to recognise this.

"The University has a comprehensive approach to ensuring opportunities for women," Professor Pettigrew said. "This relates to recruitment, performance planning and review, and the provision of opportunities for professional development."

The 99 successful organisations for 2008 had to meet new criteria which, in the words of EOWA Director Anna McPhee, "raise the bar in ensuring that 'Employers of Choice for Women' can continue to differentiate themselves in the employment marketplace". Last year, more than 130 organisations received "Employer of Choice for Women" citations.

The new criteria set new benchmarks for pay equity and paid maternity leave, as well as for the percentage of managers who are women and the availability of part-time working arrangements for female managers.

UNE's Employment Equity and Diversity Officer, Lyn Tucker, said the University's retention of its "Employer of Choice for Women" status after the introduction of these new criteria indicated that it was "maintaining steady progress in providing opportunities for women". She mentioned a range of programs at UNE that assist women to achieve their employment goals, including the innovative "Pathways to Careers and Promotion" program that encourages senior women to help more junior women in planning their career paths.

"Women hold a number of key positions at UNE," Ms Tucker said, "currently including one Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, one Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean, and three transitional Heads of Schools. A number of women also hold senior positions at the levels of Director and Deputy or Assistant Director, and as Heads of Residence."

Posted by Jim Scanlan at March 6, 2008 03:01 PM