For the second year in a row, Defence has achieved LGBTI employer silver tier status in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI).
The announcement was made today at the Annual Awards ceremony hosted by Pride in Diversity, founder and sponsor for AWEI.
Ms Melissa Hennessy, Diversity Directorate, and Colonel Helen Macpherson, the Director of the Organisational Development Unit, Defence People Group accepted the recognition on behalf of Defence.
Macpherson said that it was the little projects that combine make the biggest impact.
“Defence has many programs that support the diversity within our workforce and I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made and continue to make in this space,” said Macpherson.
“Participating in the Australian Workplace Equality Index provides us with tangible areas of focus for our LGBTI policy and practice.”
Pride in Diversity Director Dawn Hough said that the awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase diversity throughout the workforce.
"Each year with more companies participating, the competition is becoming more and more competitive," said Hough.
"For an organisation of its size and complexity, Defence should be exceptionally proud to have made it into the top 20 for 2016."
Vince Chong, President of DEFGLIS said that achieving workplace equality in a large organisation is not something that can be achieved overnight.
“Achieving silver tier status shows that Defence continues to move in the right direction when it comes to LGBTI workplace inclusion and evolving Defence culture,” said Chong.
The AWEI is a gathering held annually by Pride in Diversity that evaluates and benchmarks LGBTI inclusion in Australian workplaces.
The top LGBTI inclusive employer of the year was awarded to the Westpac Group.
Photographer: Steven Bruni
Images are (c) Copyright DEFGLIS Defence LGBTI Information Service Inc. Unlimited use by Department of Defence is permitted.
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