Õ¬Äе¼º½’s commitment to inclusivity and support for the LGBTIQ+ community has been recognised with a prestigious Pride in Diversity national award.
Õ¬Äе¼º½ has been recognised with a Silver Employer ranking in the 2019 Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), which is the definitive national benchmark for LGBTIAQ+ inclusion in the workplace.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) and Õ¬Äе¼º½ Ally Executive Champion Professor Doune Macdonald said the award positioned Õ¬Äе¼º½ as one of Australia’s highest performing employers for LGBTIAQ+ inclusion.
“Silver recognition is awarded to organisations that have scored in the top 10 to 20 per cent of employers nationally,” Professor Macdonald said.
“We have been working hard to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for gender, sex and sexually diverse people at Õ¬Äе¼º½.
“Our Õ¬Äе¼º½ Workplace Diversity and Inclusion training program has created knowledge, awareness and strong linkages across the University and out into the community.”
Professor Macdonald said Õ¬Äе¼º½ had participated in the since its inception in 2010.
“We’ve run workshops available to all staff, including targeted training to key areas of the University; we’ve provided the Õ¬Äе¼º½ Senior Management Group with LGBTIAQ+ inclusion training, and our Õ¬Äе¼º½ Ally Executive Champions help to provide strategic direction.
“Along with my colleague Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Dunne, I’m extremely proud to be an Executive Champion.”
Õ¬Äе¼º½ has hosted several high profile events to raise awareness of LGBTIAQ+ days of significance, and the visibility and hard work of the Õ¬Äе¼º½ Ally Network with leadership from the Õ¬Äе¼º½ Ally Action Committee has continued to affirm gender parity in the workplace.
The AWEI requires organisations to complete an audit of all LGBTIAQ+ inclusion work undertaken in the previous year, which is assessed by Pride in Diversity to develop the national index.
Õ¬Äе¼º½’s policies and guidelines including ; and and community engagement are important documents.
Õ¬Äе¼º½ was named in the top 10 employers in Australia in 2011, and received Bronze recognition in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Media: Õ¬Äе¼º½ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 1120.