NEWS
RMIT commended for LGBTI workplace inclusion
RMIT has been awarded Bronze Employer status in the 2017 Australian Workplace Equality Index.
The Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) is the national benchmarking instrument for LGBTI workplace inclusion. The Index drives best practice in Australia and sets a comparative benchmark for Australian employers across all sectors.
The AWEI is compiled by Pride in Diversity, a national not-for-profit employer program for the inclusion of LGBTI people in the workplace. RMIT is an organisational member of Pride in Diversity.
RMIT was recognised for its achievement in several areas, including its Action Plan for staff and students of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities (DGSS), its DGSS staff network, and its celebration of days of significance for the DGSS community, including IDAHOBIT, Wear it Purple and Midsumma.
RMIT’s policies and practice were also noted for their use of inclusive language and terminology, and the range of training available to staff around DGSS inclusion was also highlighted as a key strength.
Professor Peter Coloe – Pro Vice-Chancellor Science, Engineering and Health and Vice-President, and Executive Champion for DGSS equality – said that while RMIT was proud of this achievement, the University was working on a number of initiatives to further improve the experience of its DGSS community.
“We are currently working to ensure that intersex staff members are appropriately recognised in policies and procedures, and further improving our systems and policies to better support DGSS staff and students,” Coloe said.
“This achievement strengthens our commitment to continuing to identify ways to improve the day-to-day experience of RMIT’s DGSS community.
“We want RMIT to be an employer of choice for DGSS community members.”
The University is also looking to continually identify ways to support DGSS inclusion and has sought input from staff and students in the form of a survey in order to commence the next stage of planning.
“In making RMIT inclusive for staff, we are promoting a culture that will also improve the experience of our students,” Coloe said.
Story: Sarah Bell