Contact: Vessa Playfair
Deloitte
Director of Communications
+61 2 9322 7576

116 Australian employers have jumped the queue for talent by being awarded an EOWA Employer of Choice for Women citation today by the Federal Government’s Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).

These organisations have demonstrated that they have policies and practices that support women across the organisation and these have had a positive outcome for both women and the business.

These organisations typically boast women in higher numbers at senior levels, succession plans for women in management, development plans for high achievers, paid maternity leave and high maternity leave retention rates and the ability to work part time at all levels.

Having a CEO that drives change is also a key factor. Principal of Melbourne's Overnewton Anglican Community College, Mr James Laussen, works personally with mature aged women to assist them renew their skills. Similarly, Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu CEO, Mr Giam Swiegers, personally mentors five partners and IAG CEO, Mr Michael Hawker, chairs the organisation's women's forum where 10 high performing women meet quarterly to discuss strategic cultural issues.

Agency Director, Ms Anna McPhee, says "Employers on this list understand and address the barriers to women's full participation. From the school principal, to the Vice Chancellor, to the CEO of a non-profit organisation or a multinational, they understand their business can’t thrive on under-utilised talent".

"Since the EOWA employer of choice list was introduced in 2001 we have received increasing number of enquiries from organisations wanting to add this citation to their 'resume' to give them a much-needed edge in today's competitive labour market."

Employees today are being selective about the organisations they want to work for. The EOCFW citation list is expected to generate much interest among Australian working women who use the citation as a guide for finding the best organisations.

Greater numbers of working women are expected to refer to the list this year as a result of a postcard campaign that will be distributed throughout cafés and universities next month.

For a complete list of the EOCFW organisations please go to www.eowa.gov.au

A full media kit is available at www.eowa.gov.au