Women in Print has issued a Gender Equality Policy which sets out principles and strategies to create gender equity across the print sector and boost profitability at the same time.

The document titled “Gender Equality in Your Workplace = increase business success” prioritises four key areas for increasing gender equity in the workplace:

• Attract: create a culture that will attract a greater number of women to enter the industry and
  across all work types and roles.
• Recruit: improve current recruitment methods and practices to increase the application and
  participation of women.
• Train and Develop: undertake to provide women with purposeful and valuable training that will
  advance their skills and their careers within the industry.
• Retain: actively work to retain women within the industry at any stage of their career.
• Evaluate: periodic review of the actions undertaken, results and possible further improvements.

“With the recent Australian Chief Executive Women’s Census reporting only four of the past year’s 28 executives, across the ASX300 companies, being women, female executives are declining. We must remain focused. The census reveals, at this rate, it will take Australia 100 years to achieve 40% of female in leadership positions. Our industry is desperately short of skilled labour, why would we not engage 50% of the workforce?”

Women in Print founder and chair Susan Heaney.

Women in Print executive secretary Kellie Northwood says through the implementation of this policy, businesses increase their chances of success.

“By implementing this policy, industry members and stakeholders can connect their business objectives and goals to help tackle this issue and grow a more profitable business. Businesses who understand and engage in equal gender representation are 48% more likely to outperform businesses who do not,” Northwood said.

The policy recommends businesses consider identifying gaps in their current practice and determine
achievable actions and goals to meet the abovementioned priorities and principles in their
recruitment and retention processes.

The report furthers the benefits of gender equality development in the workplace through the
addressing of bias, inclusive work culture action planning, training and resources to accelerate skills,
structured and transparent communication and employee satisfaction and motivation.

“Our industry is such a diverse industry with great gender inclusion, this is simply the next step in
formally recognising the way we operate and conduct ourselves in our equal employment
opportunities, encouragement and support for all peoples within or joining our industry, I cannot
endorse the policy enough,” Heaney said.

Please click here to read the policy document.

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