Regional/National Reach Program

Over the last decade, employers across Australia, have made enormous strides in progressing workplace inclusion initiatives focused on their LGBTQ talent. This includes those in the private sector as well those in all levels of government and irrespective of organisational size. However, one of the great challenges for organisations is how to ensure that such positive steps are reaching ALL their employees, irrespective of their distance from head office.

The recent marriage equality debate in Australia did highlight divergent views on equality across the nation, with some, albeit a minority, of more remote communities showing less progressive or inclusive views. The recent 2018 Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) survey also highlighted the challenges faced away from the major metropolitan areas. For example:

  • Metropolitan employees believe LGBTQ inclusion initiatives are more important than those further afield (84% vs 78%)
  • Likewise, more city-based employees understand why LGBTQ inclusion is important to an organisation (87% to 81&
  • Those employees in regional locations are more likely believe that there is no longer need to spend time on LGBTQ inclusion, post marriage equality (14% to 9%)

Significantly, workforce behaviours differ considerably between city and regional workplaces. Almost 10% of LGB respondents have experienced negative commentary and jokes in their regional workplace, which is double the response from city employees. Likewise, 12% LGB regional employees have personally experienced bullying in the workplace (as opposed to 6% of city based employees). More specifically, 39% of regional employees pointed to their direct management as a source of such bullying (compared to 20% in the city).

With this in mind, and as part of our strategic initiatives we are continuing to deliver a program that focuses on workplace inclusion in regional Australia. We introduced this in Townsville for Wear it Purple Day in 2018 with a pilot series of training sessions on LGBTQ awareness and ally enablement, as well as a cross-member roundtable session, and a networking event to bring together LGBTQ employees from member organisations and the broader community, and then repeated this very successful day-long program in Geelong toward the end of 2018.

In 2019 we took this program to Rockhampton, Hobart, Kalgoorlie and Bathurst with great community engagement and response in each destination.

In 2020 we have more visits planned for:

 

    • Bendigo (VIC) in February
    • NT National Reach in November

 

Northern Territory National Reach

On 5 November 2020, we will chair a virtual series of events focusing on awareness and enablement. Specifically, it will include discussion on critical elements of LGBTQ inclusion gleaned from the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) benchmark and other research. The intent is to address questions about what is next for organisations, leaders, HR professionals and employee networks.

Click here to download a flier that includes registration links for all sessions.