• Charles Sturt retains Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation for commitment to gender equality
• University’s Workplace Gender Equity Strategy (2018-2022) implements policies and plans to improve gender equality outcomes
• Charles Sturt one of just 13 higher education institutions in Australia to earn Commonwealth Workplace Gender Equality Agency recognition

Charles Sturt University has been awarded an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (ECGE) citation from the Commonwealth Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) for the second year running.

The ECGE citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces, with the voluntary program aiming to recognise leading practice and compliance with the standards in the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012.

The University was one of 13 Australian Education and Training citation holders for 2020 that were announced on Tuesday 25 February.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said the citation is a fitting acknowledgement for the exhaustive policies the University has put in place to ensure gender equity.

“Charles Sturt University is an institution where all staff have the same access to enable them to achieve,” Professor Vann said.

“Over the course of many years, the University has been committed to making the necessary changes in attitudes and policies to ensure gender equity is a given.

“As a values-based organisation, centred on being inclusive, impactful, inspiring and insightful, Charles Sturt University is driven to be a leader in gender equity in our sector and the regions where our campuses are located.”

Organisations must re-apply annually to retain their ECGE citation, with criteria covering leadership, learning and development, gender remuneration gaps, flexible working and other initiatives to support family responsibilities, employee consultation, preventing sex-based harassment and discrimination, and targets for improving gender equality outcomes.

Professor Vann said the citation is recognition of the University’s Workplace Gender Equity Strategy (2018-2022), which contains policies and plans to ensure:

• 100 per cent of senior staff are trained in unconscious bias and inclusivity by the end of 2020
• the complete removal of unnecessary gendered terms in policy and procedures by the end of 2022
• ongoing communication regarding the rights and responsibilities of our staff, and ensuring the University’s workforce is fully informed in areas such as flexible working conditions and leave entitlements
• a 100 per cent increase in men using primary carers leave by the end of 2021
• all male members of the Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Team will become Male Champions of Change by the end of 2021
• the University will be a White Ribbon Accredited Workplace by the end of 2021

Charles Sturt was among the first Australian higher education institutions to be awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze Institution Award, an accreditation framework which provides a roadmap for institutions to address gender equity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine disciplines in higher education and research.