Equal Opportunity Citation Makes It Official

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday May 3, 2005

Pam Kershaw

An Employer of Choice for Women citation gives a competitive edge to firms competing for female talent, according to Anna McPhee, director of the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency.

"The citation says [a firm has] workplace practices and policies that are women-friendly," McPhee, pictured, says.

"These organisations recognise that the war for talent is an issue for them, and this is something that can differentiate them."

Six law firms won citations this year: Allens Arthur Robinson, Blake Dawson Waldron, Henry Davis York, Maddocks, Minter Ellison and Sparke Helmore.

McPhee says all demonstrated a high level of analysis to understand the needs of staff, and had put in place policies that addressed the needs of the business while supporting female staff. Policies included education and training, recruitment, promotion, pregnancy and maternity leave, sex-based harassment, workplace organisation and workplace flexibility.

McPhee says measures such as improved succession planning, networking and mentoring programs for women and a review of family-leave policies are achieving a higher rate of return to work after maternity leave, better recruitment outcomes and fewer women resigning because of a lack of

career progression. PK