On 7 March 2011 Arup was one of 98 organisations to achieve 2011 Employer of Choice for Women status from the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).
The citation is awarded each year to non-government organisations with more than 100 employees, that demonstrate embedded policies and practices supporting women across the organisation. It aims to encourage positive employment outcomes for both women and the business.
“With over 2,500 organisations reporting to EOWA each year this represents a significant achievement for the firm” says Arup Australasia Chair, Peter Bailey. “We delight in providing fulfilling careers for all of our staff. We hope this signals to women that when they work at Arup they have the opportunity to achieve extraordinary outcomes.”
Reflecting on the centenary of International Women’s Day in 2011, EOWA Acting Director Mairi Steele comments: “Bolstering gender equality in workplaces is not just a social justice issue; these organisations represent smart business management. They are positioning themselves to attract and retain the best female talent in what is still a highly competitive market for skilled employees” says Ms Steele. “Women now represent just over 50% of university graduates and are a huge proportion of the talent pool.”
In a media release issued ahead of the International Women's Day the Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis, comments: "These organisations demonstrate what is possible when there is a commitment to ongoing improvement. All businesses have a critical role to play when it comes to gender equality in the workplace."
The list of EOCFW organisations from all industries and states and territories can be accessed on EOWA's website.