Sparke Helmore proud to be Employer of Choice for Gender Equality
25-February-2019
Sparke Helmore Lawyers is delighted to announce that it has been recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), ranking the firm among Australia’s leading organisations for employer commitment and best practice in gender equality across Australian workplaces.
EOCGE is a leading practice recognition program designed to encourage and promote gender equality in Australia. This year, 140 organisations across Australia received a citation for their policies and practices.
"We are thrilled to be recognised as an industry leader for workplace gender equality and for the progress we have made to positively contribute to gender equality as an organisation," said Sparke Helmore National Managing Partner, Phillip Salem.
Sparke Helmore and other applicants were assessed against a number of criteria including leadership, learning and development, gender remuneration gaps, flexible working, employee consultation, preventing sex-based harassment and discrimination, and targets to improve gender equality outcomes.
As Phillip explains, "We have worked strategically and intentionally to embed equality and inclusion into our culture. We know this will benefit all of our people and allow them to thrive in their careers and personal lives.
“We have significantly improved gender representation in our leadership and decision-making forums; women now make up 33 percent of our partnership and 50 percent of the firm’s Board.”
Libby Lyons, WGEA Director said of this year’s citation holders: “Every employer committed to gender equality embarks upon their own unique journey towards achieving the equal participation by women and men in their workplace. The WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation provides a rigorous and sophisticated roadmap to guide employers along the path.
“All of our 2018–19 EOCGE citation holders are at different stages of their gender equality journey. What unites them is their determination and commitment to achieving workplace gender equality. I congratulate all of these organisations for being agents of change, leading the way forward for other Australian employers to follow.”
