February 24, 2019
Alcoa: Top Employer for Gender Equality
Alcoa of Australia’s commitment to gender equality in the workplace was today recognised for the 17th year running, with Chairman and Managing Director Michael Parker firmly focused on creating an inclusive and equitable work environment for all.
The Federal Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) named Alcoa an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality* (EOCGE). The citation is a prestigious acknowledgment of organisations that encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in their workplaces.
“I’m extremely proud of Alcoa’s gender equality achievements to date and we continue to look for new ways to drive change in our traditionally male dominated workplace,” Mr Parker said.
“If we want to stimulate new ideas and drive productivity at Alcoa, we need to bring together people who think differently from one another, with diverse experience and backgrounds.
“We’ve put diversity and inclusion as a standing agenda item at all leadership meetings, analysed our payroll for pay gaps, updated our recruitment strategies and refreshed policies, and we continue to seek out and implement best practice,” Mr Parker said.
This year, one third of Alcoa’s 25 new apprentices were female, highlighting the success of the company’s gender equality initiatives.
Heavy Duty Mechanic Apprentice Jesse Salter works at Alcoa’s Willowdale Bauxite Mine and said she was proud to work for a company that seeks to attract more women in the workplace.
“I love that we have the chance to prove we’re just as capable as the men we’re working with,” Ms Salter said.
Reliability Engineer Michael Cannizzo works at Alcoa’s Kwinana Alumina Refinery and accessed the company’s parental leave scheme when his daughter was born last year.
“As a new father, I was supported and encouraged to take parental leave and spend quality time with my wife and baby,” Mr Cannizzo said.
Alcoa’s Catalysts for Change program is a finalist in the Outstanding Company Initiative category of the upcoming 2019 Chamber of Minerals and Energy Women in Resources Awards. Mr Parker is also in the running for the Women in Resources Champion award.
For the full list of 2019 EOCGE citation holders, visit the WGEA website.
* The EOCGE citation commenced in 2014, replacing the predecessor citation, Employer of Choice for Women, then managed by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency.