Only two tech businesses have made the Diversity Council of Australia’s 30 inclusive employers list for 2022-23.
The Australian arm of tech giant Cisco and workforce management software company Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG) made the cut.
To be deemed eligible as an inclusive employer, companies must invite at least 60 per cent of their employees to participate in a survey of their experience of inclusion at work, and show they are actively committed to inclusion in at least five of the following: awareness, engagement, inclusive organisational climate, inclusive leadership, inclusive team, and exclusion.
“Our Inclusive Employer Index is rigorous, it is not an award, it is a way to measure the work of inclusion in employers in a robust way," said Lisa Annesse, CEO of DCA.
“Those who have been recognised today are doing the work of diversity and inclusion and making progress on greater inclusion.”
DCA says that given Australia’s tight labour market, making workplaces more inclusive is a “proven way to attract and retain workers”.
“This year’s list of organisations is diverse – with employers large and small from a wide spectrum of industries. Inclusion isn’t an add on extra for these organisations, it is a super-power and it is critical to their success,” said Annesse.
Ben Dawson, vice president of Cisco Australia and New Zealand, said the company was proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer.
“Cisco’s purpose is to power an inclusive future for all, and we enable this through our technology, people and culture,” Dawson said.
“We actively connect and build awareness to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, which is a continual evolving focus for us all.”
Dawson said Cisco’s Conscious Culture is built on full-spectrum diversity, and its inclusive community employee groups helps its people connect within community and among allies.
“They also guide us to address the most relevant and meaningful aspects of inclusion and are vital advocates in acting for change.”
Brian Reaves, chief Belonging, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer of UKG, said creating a truly inclusive workplace is not a “point in time initiative”.
“It’s an ongoing journey of refining and improving strategies and resources for employees, customers, and communities to belong, grow, and thrive,” said Reaves.
“We are honoured to be recognised as an Inclusive Employer and are pleased to have exceeded national benchmarks in all criteria of the Diversity Council Australia’s Inclusive Employer Index.
“We won’t stop here—we will continue building an inclusive environment for all people, by being a place where unique identities and values are sought out, represented, and celebrated as well as living our company mantra ‘our purpose is people’ every day.”
The 30 Inclusive Employers for 2022-2023 are (in alphabetical order):
ACOR Consultants
Adelaide Airport Limited
Alinta Energy
Anglicare Victoria
Australia Pacific Airports Corporation
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
AVID Property Group Pty Ltd
Banyule Community Health
BaptistCare NSW & ACT
Carers Queensland Ltd
Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA
Cisco Systems Australia Pty Ltd
City of Stirling
Clean Energy Finance Corporation
ConnellGriffin Lty Ptd
Davies Collison Cave
Defence Housing Australia
Helping Hand Aged Care, South Australia
Impact Community Services
John Deere Limited
Landcom
Mars Australia & New Zealand
Perron Group
Property Council of Australia
Schneider Electric
Services Australia
The Social Research Centre
Ultimate Kronos Group
WISE Employment
WPP