18 March 2010
A great place for women to work
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A raft of family-friendly initiatives has helped RMIT University win its fourth successive Employer of Choice for Women award.
RMIT has now been recognised by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) seven times – in 2001 to 2003, and from 2007 to 2010.
The University and 94 other organisations awarded EOWA recognition were congratulated on International Women's Day, 8 March, by the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, and the Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek.
"These organisations went over and above the minimum requirements, working to remove the many barriers to women's career progress," the Ministers said.
Marcia Gough, Executive Director, Human Resources, welcomed the award, saying that it reflected a University-wide commitment.
"RMIT's approach to diversity and to eradicating barriers to women's advancement has received excellent support throughout the organisation.
"Initiatives around parental leave over recent years have played a particular role in enabling women to maintain and advance their careers," Ms Gough said.
"Our return-to-work bonus, paid to an employee returning after maternity or adoption leave, is frequently used to to return to part-time work while being paid a full-time salary.
"Since 2005, parental leave applications have increased by 70 per cent, resignations post return to work have decreased by 41.28 per cent and the return to work rate has increased from 44 to 85 per cent."
Other 2009 initiatives noted as part of the EOWA award included:
The introduction of "How we work at RMIT" as part of the online induction module, helping staff familiarise themselves with RMIT human resources policies.
Active engagement with ATN (Australian Technology Network) Women's Executive Development (WEXDEV) programs, enhancing professional development opportunities for senior women.
Participation in International Women's Day, with a celebration attended by more than 150.
Hosting the Clare Burton Memorial Lecture, in which Associate Professor Marian Baird from the University of Sydney analysed maternity leave policies from 1979.
Embedding Equal Opportunity information in the Academic Promotions Panel members' information kit.
Women's coaching sessions for academic promotion, in which senior RMIT female academics undertook a coaching role for 22 women in small informal groups.
