Six funds named top employers for gender equality

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has recognised six superannuation funds as Employers of Choice for Gender Equality, with HESTA, AustralianSuper, First State Super, Suncorp, TelstraSuper and Cbus receiving the citation.

Group life insurers Allianz, MLC Life Insurance and TAL were also on the 2019 list, inclusion on which considered leadership, strategy and accountability, development of a gender-balanced workforce, gender pay equity, support for caring, mainstreaming of flexible work, prevention of harassment and discrimination, and driving change beyond their workplace.

HESTA, for example, provided paid parental leave with super paid on both paid and unpaid leave for up to 12 months. It also focused on improving gender equality not just through its advocacy but its investments.

TAL had a similar 12-month parental leave scheme, as well as offering roundtable sessions for people at TAL to discuss gender topics with senior leaders.

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HESTA’s chief executive, Debby Blakey, said that acting for gender equality in turn helped HESTA retain the best team possible.

“A workplace culture based on inclusion and respect is vital to attracting and retaining top talent, supports high-quality decision making and strong performing teams. We know our culture at HESTA underpins the continued delivery of leading, long-term performance for our members,” she said.

Commenting on the citation, Blakey also said that with a member base that was over 80 per cent female, it was vital that HESTA led by example in innovating to foster diversity and inclusion.