Seven West Media has announced that it is the first media company in Australia to be named an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
Seven West Media is one of only 12 organisations across Australia to receive the citation in 2022, after being assessed against extensive and rigorous criteria.
Seven has implemented a number of policies and support systems to improve gender equality. These include policies to eliminate gender remuneration gaps, targets to improve gender equality outcomes, flexible working, gender neutral paid parental leave, employee consultation, and initiatives to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination.
One hundred and twenty Australian companies sit alongside Seven West Media as WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, including Accenture, Allianz, Blackmores, Deloitte, ING, Kellogg, Medibank, PwC, Telstra, Woolworths, and more.
Seven West Media managing director and chief executive officer, James Warburton, said: “Diversity and inclusiveness are at the core of our values and part of our business strategy at all levels. We are focused on achieving gender equality across our business. Currently 52% of our people are female across on-screen and off-screen roles, and female representation accounts for 51% of our senior leadership positions.
“Being recognised as among the best employers for women is an important milestone for Seven West Media and one that we are immensely proud of, but our work is not done. This is just part of our continued evolution to create a supportive, flexible and fair workplace for all people to be recognised and to thrive.”
Seven West Media chief people and culture officer, Katie McGrath, said: “Creating a safe environment and richly diverse culture is critical for any high-performing company. We’ve taken progressive action to increase the representation of women in senior positions and we are whole-heartedly committed to ensuring ongoing gender balance at all levels throughout Seven West Media, including during recruitment and career development opportunities.
“The WGEA citation builds on our continued responsibility to promote diversity, equality and inclusion while actively engaging with communities across Australia. The latest citation comes after Seven West Media was again the proud broadcast partner of UN Women Australia for International Women’s Day. We are also the official media partner of White Ribbon Day and we recently registered our intent to develop our inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan with Reconciliation Australia.
“Our extensive charity activities also positively contribute towards a better Australia, with Seven West Media donating over $34 million a year in airtime support to over 140 organisations across the country. Our 2021 Good Friday Appeal raised $18 million for Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, and over $48 million was raised during Channel 7’s Perth telethon last year,” she said.