THE federal government has implemented new minimum standards for businesses reporting on gender diversity targets, effective from 1 October 2014 for the 2014-15 reporting period.

The minimum standards under gender reporting rules are designed to boost women’s participation in the workforce and increase business commitment to gender equality throughout Australia.

In particular, employers are expected to implement a policy or strategy which meets one or more of the minimum standards set by the Minister for Employer by way of legislative instrument.

In this reporting period, employers with 500 employees or more are expected to address one or more of the following issues in their workplace:

• gender composition of the workforce
• equal remuneration between women and men
• availability and utility of employment terms, conditions and practices relating to flexible working arrangements for employees and to working arrangements supporting employees with family or caring responsibilities
• gender-based harassment and discrimination.

Relevant employers will be required to report their strategic approach to one or more of these issues to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency in 2015.

For more information about WGEA and the minimum standards, click here.

Getting ahead on gender diversity

The Australian Women in Resources Alliance is the resource industry’s go-to source for information, guidance and advice on how to improve gender diversity in your organisation.

In Perth this November, resource employers will have the unique opportunity hear exclusive insight from industry leaders on how to tackle the gender diversity challenge at the 2014 Australian Women in Resources Alliance Forum.

At the 2014 AWRA Forum, delegates will:

• Get a first-hand account of how resource leader Iluka is tackling the diversity challenge with innovative recruitment and workforce development strategies.
• Hear advisors from top firms Georgiou Group and Diversity Network debate the challenges of building workforce diversity in Australia’s resource industry.
• Learn how Leighton Contractors and FMG’s innovative approach to Indigenous recruitment has improved their Indigenous workforce participation and community engagement.