Aged care recognised as a great industry for women

Seven aged care providers have made the federal governments annual list of employers of choice for women.

Compiled by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA), the list recognises organisations which have policies and practices support that and encourage women in the workplace.

To be an employer of choice for women, companies must offer at least six weeks of paid maternity leave and provide education about sex-based harassment every two years.

They need to have a higher proportion of female managers than the industry average and allow female managers to work part time.

The CEOs of the organisations on the list are also interviewed personally to demonstrate their commitment to equal opportunity initiatives.

The aged care organisations which made the list were Benetas, Baptist Community Services – NSW & ACT, CatholicCare Hunter-Manning, Fullarton Lutheran Homes, Mercy Health, Uniting Aged Care Victoria & Tasmania and Warrigal Care.

Benetas was on the list for the fifth year in a row. CEO, Sandra Hills says the organisation’s employees – the majority of whom are women – are its greatest asset.

“Providing greater flexibility for our female staff to meet their family needs while also supporting their ongoing professional development is vital for us,” said Ms Hills.

“It’s the only way we’ll be able to meet the increasing needs for our services, now and into the future.

“As well as family-friendly practices and a real commitment to professional development, we actively listen to our staff to ensure we continue to develop new initiatives and raise the bar every year.”

With 71 per cent of its senior management positions held by women, Mercy Health made the list for the third time.

The group’s CEO, John Ballard said the organisation is committed to attracting and retaining talented people who are committed to caring for others.

“We have worked hard to implement a range of workplace practices and initiatives that assist our people to integrate and balance their careers with the demands of life,” he said.