SDN Children’s Services have once again been formally recognised as an employer of choice for women by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).

The award, won for the second time, was announced at the launch of the 2012 Employer of Choice for Women (EOCFW) list in Perth on Tuesday 13 March 2012. Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) Director, Helen Conway, announced that 125 organisations had qualified for the Agency’s national EOWA (EOCFW) citation this year. Ms Conway said Australian business leaders understood the citation was a major drawcard in the war to attract and retain the best people.

“SDN Children’s Services have again been noted for our efforts in realising a work environment that promotes positive workplace practices for woman and gender equality,” SDN’s CEO, Ginie Udy, said, “I’m really proud that we’ve won this recognition for the second year in a row.”

The award is presented to non-government organisations that have policies, practices and organisational structures which support the advancement of women in the workplace.

‘Receiving this citation for the second year running shows our ongoing commitment to the values and initiatives that we put in place for our staff and their families. It highlights our pledge to ensure that our employees have flexible work practices with benefits such as discounted child care fees, paid maternity leave and good work-life balance. This citation makes me very proud of all we have done, but I know that we must continue doing this good work to stay ahead of the field,’ Ms Udy said.

Organisations are assessed for EOCFW against rigorous application criteria which consider a number of workplace issues including pay equity, women in executive management, flexibility, paid maternity leave (in addition to the government’s paid leave), sexbased harassment and career development training. Importantly, the citation requires the organisation’s CEO to be the driving force behind the culture which supports the advancement of female employees. The President of SDN’s Board, the CEO, six out of 10 of the Board members and all senior leadership team members are women.