25 November 2002

The University of Queensland has received an important national award recognising its commitment to equity.

The Federal Government`s Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) has awarded The University of Queensland an Employer of Choice citation.

Agency director Ms Fiona Krautil said UQ was one of only 100 companies being named following a rigorous filtering of more than 2500 reports submitted to EOWA to comply with Equal Opportunity legislation.

"Companies awarded the much-coveted EOWA citation were required to meet extremely stringent criteria, including having transparent policies in place that support women across the organization; education employees on their rights and obligations regarding sex-based harassment; and delivering improved outcomes for women and the business," she said.

Ms Krautil said this was only the second time the Federal Government had lauded women-friendly companies in Australia.

"It is a great honour to be awarded the EOWA-approved `Employer of Choice for Women stamp of approval, as this affords extra brand positioning in your industry," she said.

As a result of the award, the University will receive an official positioning logo, which it is entitled to use in its recruitment advertising and other company promotional material.

UQ has also been waived from reporting to the Agency for two years.

"Waiving recognises organizations like The University of Queensland, that are taking all reasonably practicable steps to achieve equal opportunity for their female employees in employment matter areas," Ms Krautil said.

"I congratulate the University on developing and implementing a workplace program that is having a positive impact on women in your workplace and also delivering improved business competitiveness."

The Employer of Choice Award and waived status, resulted from a highly successful presentation to the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).

Opened in a "Welcome to Land" by UQ Senate member Ms Lilla Watson, the presentation was co-chaired by Dr Mary Mahoney (UQ Status of Women Committee Chairperson) and UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Margaret Gardner.

Director of the UQ Equity Office Ms Ann Stewart said that the strong support from senior University staff demonstrated to EOWA the commitment of the University to address employment matters related to women.

A range of senior University staff presented, including Professor David Siddle (DVC, Research), Professor Jenny Strong (President, Academic Board), Mr Denis Feeney (Director, Personnel Services), Mrs Janine Schmidt (University Librarian), Ms Denise Chalmers (Director, TEDI), Ms Ann Stewart (Director, The Equity Office), and Professor David Radcliffe and Mrs Caroline Crosthwaite (the Catalyst Centre Co-Directors).

Equity Office Policy and Development Officer Marnie King said recent achievements in the UQ workplace profile included:

• Increased women`s representation at Levels C and D as well as at Senior Executive level. (Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor). Between 2000 and 2002, women`s representation increased by 4.2 percent and 2.6 percent at levels C and D respectively. These increases were particularly pleasing given women`s representation typically drops significantly at these levels. Increases were also experienced at level B (Lecturer) (up 2.9 percent since 2000). As well, the proportion and number of academic women in continuing appointments has continued to increase. at UQ (up 3.7 percent since 2000).

• In 2002 the proportion of women increased at HEW levels 4-9.

• In 2002, increases in women`s "research only" representation were experienced at academic levels B, C and D and general staff levels 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8.

• Increases in the proportion of women represented at the Senior Executive level have occurred over the past three years at the University (from 20 percent n=3, to 31.3 percent n=5).

Ms Stewart said in addition to these outcomes, the Agency representative Ms Tracey Carpenter was particularly impressed with the Senate Standing Committee on the Status of Women, the School of Engineering`s Catalyst Centre, the Career Horizons Program and Mentoring programs, and the Equity Contact Officers network of 100 staff. Ms Carpenter also noted the successful outcomes for of fellowships for women, increases in women`s involvement`s in research grants, and the introduction of family-friendly leave provisions. including parental leave, carers leave, family leave and increasing academic participation rates of women over the past two years.

Career Horizons is a career advancement program for UQ women staff between HEW levels 3-7 (including "research only" positions). For 2000 and 2001, 50 percent of participants had progressed to a higher-level position within 10 months of undertaking Career Horizons. Some participants have moved five levels since completing the program.

The School of Engineering established the Catalyst Centre as the operational mechanism to engage staff and students in the process of innovation and development. This Centre was made possible by the Strategic Learning Partnership formed between UQ and Thiess Pty Ltd. In 2001, a Chair in Engineering Education and Professional Development was established as part of the partnership. The Catalyst Centre received an award for the Enhancement of Student Learning during UQ`s Teaching and Learning Week last week.

Media: Further information contact Jan King 0413 601 248.