UQ’s dedication to diversity recognised

½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹϒs commitment to inclusivity and support for the LGBTIQ+ community has been recognised with a prestigious Pride in Diversity national award.  

½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏhas been recognised with a Silver Employer ranking in the 2019 Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), which is the definitive national benchmark for LGBTIAQ+ inclusion in the workplace.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) and ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏAlly Executive Champion Professor Doune Macdonald said the award positioned ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏas one of Australia’s highest performing employers for LGBTIAQ+ inclusion.

“Silver recognition is awarded to organisations that have scored in the top 10 to 20 per cent of employers nationally,” Professor Macdonald said.

“We have been working hard to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for gender, sex and sexually diverse people at UQ.

“Our ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏWorkplace Diversity and Inclusion training program has created knowledge, awareness and strong linkages across the University and out into the community.”

Professor Macdonald said ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏhad participated in the AWEI since its inception in 2010.

“We’ve run Ally workshops available to all staff, including targeted training to key areas of the University; we’ve provided the ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏSenior Management Group with LGBTIAQ+ inclusion training, and our ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏAlly Executive Champions help to provide strategic direction.

“Along with my colleague Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Dunne, I’m extremely proud to be an Executive Champion.”

½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏhas hosted several high profile events to raise awareness of LGBTIAQ+ days of significance, and the visibility and hard work of the ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏAlly Network with leadership from the ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏAlly Action Committee has continued to affirm gender parity in the workplace.

The AWEI requires organisations to complete an audit of all LGBTIAQ+ inclusion work undertaken in the previous year, which is assessed by Pride in Diversity to develop the national index.

UQ’s policies and guidelines including ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏGuide to Gender Affirmation in the Workplace; and ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏGuide to Inclusive Language and community engagement are important documents.

½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏwas named in the top 10 employers in Australia in 2011, and received Bronze recognition in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Media: ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏCommunications, communications@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 1120.