The University of Queensland has again been named an Employer of Choice for Women (EOCFW) by the Federal Government's Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).
The citations are awarded to organisations that have transparent, supportive women's policies, an inclusive organisational culture and staff development programs that educate workers about rights and obligations for sex-based harassment.
UQ has been an EOCFW since 2002 and the current citation is valid until February 2008.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Michael Keniger, responsible for equity matters, emphasised the commitment from UQ in addressing employment-related matters for women, which had been demonstrated to and recognised by EOWA.
"It is a great honour to be awarded the ‘Employer of Choice for Women’ stamp of approval,” Professor Keniger said.
“We are delighted to receive recognition for our achievements in seeking to improve the status of women staff and we are committed to continuing to develop and implement workplace programs that have a positive impact on women at UQ.”
Professor Keniger said over the past year female staff at UQ had the highest promotions success rate of teaching and research academic staff since 1999, with 80 percent of women who applied for promotion in 2005 (effective 2006) promoted.
“We also had 100 percent of the women of women who applied to be Professor promoted,” Professor Keniger said.
He said in 2006 the University also established the ‘Edna’ program– a short term assistance scheme for women; revised The University of Queensland Equity and Diversity Plan (with a strategic priority to increase the number of female staff at senior levels); and integrated equity and diversity goals/initiatives in Faculty Operational Plans.
Some of the ways UQ continues to support women include:
• provide 26 weeks paid maternity leave for eligible women staff (with replacement staff funded from a centralised account);
• require all new staff to complete on-line equity and diversity training;
• celebrate ‘Diversity Week’ each year and reward groups and individuals who deliver exemplary equity and diversity initiatives;
• receive breastfeeding-friendly workplace accreditation from the Australian Breastfeeding Association;
• coordinate the Senior Women Seminar Series; Women Professors’ Network; New Horizons – a career advancement program for women; Promoting Women Fellowships; University of Queensland Return to Research Scholarships; Research Degree Completion Equity Fellowships; and promotions workshops for women.
• provide Personal Leave (including Carer’s and Family Leave), parking for pregnant women and carers, the capacity to request part-time employment after parental leave and a voluntary variable week/annualised salary scheme, family and parenting rooms and baby change facilities and professional development support for staff with carer responsibilities.
Media inquiries: Andrew Dunne at UQ Communications (3365 2802 or 0433 364 181).
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