Deloitte leads in advancement of women

The federal government's Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) has recognised professional services firm, Deloitte as Australia's Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women (500+ employees).

The total number of women partners at Deloitte has increased by 45, to 73, in the last four years while the number of Women Lead Client Service Partners has increasedby 10, to 13, in the same time period.

Also, the percentage of women promotions to total promotions (excluding partnerships) has increased from 47% in 2004 to 49% in 2008, which represents 217 women promotions in 2008 as compared to 127 women promotions in 2004.

The percentage of women returning to work from maternity leave has increased from 78% in 2004 to 97% in 2008.

Deloitte's flagship program, The Inspiring Women Initiative was launched in 2004 and is one of many programs developed to recognise and advance talented women in the organisation over the past eight years.

Deloitte Australia cheif executive, Giam Swiegers said his company has always believed in the critical importance of recruiting and retaining talented women.

"We have sought an active role in the setting of new standards for women's leadership and development in corporate Australia and internationally," he said in a statement.

"Our program is therefore not a one-off project but a firm wide objective which makes simple business sense."

The award for Australia's Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women (<500 Employees) went to The Cancer Council QLD.

Cancer Council QLD 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.

Also, the organsiation condusts a full review of salary levels across the job ranges annually to identify differences in male/ female remuneration.

Other awards and their recipients included:

Minister's Award for Outstanding EEO Practice in the Advancement of Indigenous Women
 SDN Children's Services Inc for their work with the Aboriginal communities in Redfern and Alexandria.

Outstanding EEO Practice for the Advancement of Women in a Non-Traditional Area/Role
 Mt Arthur Coal Pty Ltd for a Trainee Operator Program designed to encourage local candidates from the Hunter Valley.

Outstanding Workplace Flexibility Achieved through Job Re-Design
 ConocoPhillips Australia Pty Ltd providing 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.

Outstanding Initiative/Result for the Advancement of Women
 Dell with its Women in IT Executive Mentoring program, founded with the aim of accelerating development of leadership skills of women within the IT industry and profession.

Full announcement below:

Deloitte the Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women

November 19, 2008: Professional services firm Deloitte has been recognised today as Australia's Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women (500+ employees) by the Federal Government's Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).

Giam Swiegers, CEO, Deloitte Australia said: "At Deloitte we have always believed in the critical importance of recruiting and retaining talented women. We have sought an active role in the setting of new standards for women's leadership and development in corporate Australia and internationally. Our program is therefore not a one-off project but a firm wide objective which makes simple business sense.

"We are proud of the fact that the judges referred to our 'innovative approach'. At Deloitte we encourage innovation in everything we do.

"We are truly delighted to win this award as it recognises our aim is to celebrate differences in our people at all times and empower them to challenge, change and improve the way we work. Our program is not about experimenting with the latest fad but is about sustained performance.

"At the same time I know we still have a long way to go before we achieve our goals - which importantly include having more women in senior leadership roles."

Over the past eight years Deloitte has implemented various successful programs and initiatives to recognise and advance talented women in the organisation. Our flagship program, The Inspiring Women Initiative was launched in 2004.

This program is not about increasing the number of women that are recruited but is a planned program that focuses on supporting and developing women across the entire span of their career, responding to the real issues they face in building a successful business career.

Margaret Dreyer, the Lead Partner for Deloitte Australia's Inspiring Women program and a Deloitte Australia board member said: "Inspiring Women has developed many of our talented women across the firm. It has encouraged them to have confidence in their abilities knowing that there is both support and opportunities to help them succeed in building their leadership careers within Deloitte.

"We have achieved some key successes including a higher percentage of female partners and directors as well as a significant increase in women returning to Deloitte after maternity leave."

Margaret Dreyer added: "Inspiring Women is about Deloitte Australia's sustained commitment to equal opportunity for women, with improved outcomes over the medium to long-term a key focus."

Some key achievements of the Inspiring Women program are listed below:

The total number of women partners at Deloitte has increased from 28 partners in 2004 to 73 partners in 2008.
The number of Women Lead Client Service Partners has increased from 3 in 2004 to 13 in 2008 .
The percentage of women promotions to total promotions (excluding partnerships) has increased from 47% in 2004.to 49% in 2008. This represents 217 women promotions in 2008 as compared to 127 women promotions in 2004.
The percentage of women returning to work from maternity leave has increased from 78% in 2004 to 97% in 2008.

EOWA Business Achievement Awards

The EOWA Business Achievement Awards are in recognition of those non-government organisations which are at the forefront of driving change for a more equitable workplace

Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women (>500 employees) was awarded to the organisation that demonstrates that it:

Strategically positions EEO for women;
Has excellent analysis, including consultation with employees;
Drives an inclusive organisational culture;
Takes action on issues relating to employment matters; and
Delivers improved outcomes for women and the business.