News

QinetiQ has been recognised as leading the way for gender equality through the WGEA's Employer of Choice Gender Equality citation. As one of 140 employers announced today by the WGEA, the citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.

Greg Barsby, QinetiQ Managing Director, said:

“This has been a long and significant journey for QinetiQ in Australia. Driven by our General Manager People and Capability, we have given it continuous focus and attention, as well as measurable objectives with regular reporting to ensure we stayed focused and delivered.

A significant milestone on this journey to EOCGE citation has been to communicate and collaborate with our employees, asking them to contribute to our success through our employee-led Diversity and Inclusion Committee.”

Jessica Ciccozzi, General Manager People and Capability, said:

“A huge part of our success was Greg’s leadership; enabled and supported by our Global leaders he has shown strong and highly-visible leadership in strategy development, communications and cultural change. Together with our local leadership team we have challenged our people to think differently about gender equality.”

The WGEA EOCGE citation commenced in 2014 and provides organisations with recognition that they are applying best practice in promoting gender equality, and provides a benchmark for the further development of gender equality in workplaces.

QinetiQ has been working towards this citation for a number of years, challenging and changing traditional systems and behaviours that were potential barriers to diversity. Some initiatives include:

• offering industry-leading paid parental leave with no minimum tenure,
• creating an employee led diversity and inclusion committee,
• setting targets for the progression of gender equality, and
• encouraging flexible work for both genders through a progressive and inclusive flexible work policy.

The WGEA citation is strategically aligned with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012, recognising the historically disadvantaged position of women in the workplace, and that gender equality is increasingly critical to an organisation’s success.

Libby Lyons, Director of WGEA, said:

“Embracing workplace gender equality means different things for different organisations. 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.

We have awarded a record 140 EOCGE citations this year. 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.”

The citation’s seven focus areas cover leadership, strategy and accountability; developing a gender balanced workforce; gender pay equity; support for caring; mainstreaming flexible work; preventing gender-based harassment and discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying; and driving change beyond your workplace.

Citation is viewed as a baseline feature of well-managed and leading organisations, and is awarded for two years. Employers must provide evidence of their compliance to the Act, submit an application to be assessed against the seven focus areas, and the CEO of the organisation must take part in a formal interview process with the WGEA.

For more information, please contact:

QinetiQ Australia
Sally Maconochie
SDMaconochie@QinetiQ.com.au 
+61 478 149 412

WGEA
Murray Black
murray.black@wgea.gov.au
+61 438 071 876