Alcoa named an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by Federal Govt

ALCOA of Australia has been named an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Federal Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

The EOCGE citation is an acknowledgment of organisations that encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in their workplaces.

Alcoa of Australia chairman Michael Parker said he was proud Alcoa was recognised as an example of best practice in gender equality, but said there was still much work to be done to close the gender gap.

Mr Parker is a member of CEOs for Gender Equity, the global sponsor of the Alcoa Women’s Network and has taken a pledge to be a ‘Catalyst for Change’ in the advancement of women through recruitment, development and retention.

“At Alcoa, being a Catalyst means actively reviewing your everyday work actions in the context of gender equity, and taking steps to do things differently to get the balance right,” he said.

“As a leader, one of my key actions was adding a diversity and inclusion agenda item to every lead team meeting, in much the same way as we have standing items for health and safety.

“It’s that important, and we all need to be accountable.”

Alcoa residue production and maintenance co-ordinator Kylie Haines said at Alcoa people focus on the quality of the work you perform and accept you for who you are.

“I love my job at Alcoa because I can get out in the field, connect with people, I’m constantly challenged and I know I can step up in my career,” she said.

WGEA director Libby Lyons said trends in this year’s recipients include a focus on flexibility, greater support for women to progress into leadership positions and more sophisticated analysis of the causes of gender pay gaps.

“It is only through more employers adopting leading practices to promote gender equality in the workplace that we will see the pace of change pick up,” Ms Lyons said.