Diversity Council Australia (DCA) is currently accepting expressions of interest for the highly anticipated 2023-2024 Inclusive Employer Index.
This initiative provides Australian organisations with a unique opportunity to showcase their unwavering commitment to cultivating inclusive workplaces.
Developed in collaboration with Cultural Infusion, the Inclusive Employer Index allows participating employers to evaluate and monitor the state of diversity and inclusion within their respective companies. By benchmarking their progress against industry leaders, organizations can gain valuable insights and track their journey towards fostering inclusivity.
Organizations that exceed the national index benchmark across various key measures will be recognized on the prestigious 2023-2024 Inclusive Employer Index list. DCA will publicly promote these organizations, shining a spotlight on their commendable efforts. In addition, they will have the privilege of displaying the distinguished Inclusive Employers logo, which serves as a visible symbol of their dedication to diversity and inclusion.
Last year’s Inclusive Employers comprised a diverse spectrum of organizations from the public, private, and non-government sectors, encompassing both large and small entities. Renowned companies such as Cisco Systems Australia, John Deere, Services Australia, the Social Research Centre, WISE Employment, and many others were among the notable recipients of this recognition. The complete list of organizations can be found on DCA’s official website.
Research has consistently demonstrated that fostering an inclusive workplace not only attracts top talent but also contributes to improved performance, well-being, and innovation. According to the recent Inclusion@Work Index released by DCA, employees who are part of inclusive teams experience remarkable benefits compared to those in non-inclusive teams. They are four times less likely to abandon their jobs, five times less likely to encounter discrimination or harassment, ten times more likely to express high satisfaction, and eleven times more likely to demonstrate exceptional effectiveness.
Given the prevailing challenge faced by employers across the country due to staff shortages, now is an opportune moment to assess your organization’s performance and identify areas for improvement.
Employers interested in participating in DCA’s prestigious 2023-2024 Inclusive Employer Index can register their interest on the official website. The deadline for expressions of interest is July 31, 2023.
DCA’s CEO, Lisa Annese, underscored the significant benefits of inclusion for both employers and employees, urging organizations to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity. She emphasized that the Inclusive Employer Index is a robust evaluation tool, providing an opportunity for organizations to showcase that inclusion is not merely an afterthought but an integral attribute that actively contributes to their success. By being recognized as Inclusive Employers, organizations can demonstrate their relentless efforts towards promoting diversity and inclusion, thereby contributing to the creation of a more inclusive Australia.
Several CEOs from the previous year’s cohort of Inclusive Employers also expressed their thoughts on achieving this prestigious status and the transformative power of inclusion within their organizations.
Chris Stewart, CEO of Helping Hand Aged Care in South Australia, expressed immense pride in achieving Inclusive Employer status for the first time. He emphasized the importance of self-reflection and values-based engagement in assessing progress and highlighted the exceptional outcome for Helping Hand, particularly the significantly high percentage of employees reporting inclusive managers.
Mick Kinley, CEO of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, regarded their designation as an Inclusive Employer as a testament to their unwavering focus on embedding inclusive values within AMSA. He considered it a solid foundation for future growth and progress.
Debra Cottrell, CEO of Carers Queensland Ltd, expressed profound satisfaction in achieving Inclusive Employer Status through DCA. She emphasized that this recognition not only validates their existing efforts but also serves as a powerful motivation to continue striving for an inclusive environment at Carers Queensland, where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Chris Rodwell, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, acknowledged DCA’s recognition of their organization as an inclusive employer and highlighted the invaluable opportunity presented by the assessment tool to identify areas for further improvement. He emphasized the significance of embarking on a continuous journey toward inclusivity within their team and shared their commitment to disseminating their efforts among the extensive network of businesses within their membership.
Stuart Jardine PSM, CEO of the City of Stirling, emphasized the paramount importance of employing individuals who are an integral part of the local community and reflect the diverse fabric of the region. He expressed pride in the City of Stirling’s cultural diversity and reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and harmonious environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Rebecca Skinner PSM, Chief Executive Officer of Services Australia, regarded the recognition as an inclusive employer and achieving Inclusive Employer Status for the second year as a moment of pride for the organization. She emphasized the agency’s crucial role in supporting every Australian, irrespective of their background, and highlighted the importance of inclusion in providing better services to the community. Services Australia remains dedicated to championing inclusion in the workplace, as it improves both the staff and customer experience.
With the expressions of interest now open, organizations across Australia have an extraordinary chance to demonstrate their commitment to diversity and inclusion by participating in the esteemed 2023-2024 Inclusive Employer Index.
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