Innovation, vision and workplace equality
ANZ was awarded the Employer of the Year at the 2016 Women in Financial Services Awards, Hope William-Smith writes.
The aim of diversifying the workforce has been the key to ANZ taking out the Employer of the Year Award at the 2016 Women in Financial Services Awards.
Judges praised ANZ for its increased focus on diversity acceptance in the workplace and the initiatives implemented to decrease gender bias and discrimination.
The ANZ vision for equality implemented through various methods was mentioned, particularly for its innovation, education and training programs, workplace rotational programs and national and international gender programs. ANZ was also praised for its commitment to financial support via pro bono services, which included free advice for women with super balances of less than $50,000 as part of the ANZ Women's Initiative.
ANZ said it had recently introduced targeted development programs aimed to aid women, including the Notable Women and Aspiring Notable Women programs to encourage and promote the confidence and capability of female leaders and emerging female leaders to build their presence in traditional and social media.
In addition, the Accelerating Banking Experiences for Women rotational program was introduced to help female talent develop broad-based careers in banking.
ANZ employees also undergo specialist "think different" training to aid recognition and action against unconscious bias, an initiative which has seen them as firm favourites for this year's employment award.
ANZ said that employing the best talent regardless of who they are was a priority for the bank, as it continued with its mission to deliver diversity of ideas and experiences into its hiring processes.
Judges said that the category, which included finalists Legg Mason, TAL, TABS Super Fund and La Trobe Financial, was particularly difficult to judge. All nominee businesses were praised for the scope of their initiatives toward eliminating bias in the workplace and their recognition of culture, leadership, public benefits and innovation.
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
Winner
ANZ
Finalists
Legg Mason Asset Management
TAL
La Trobe Financial
TABS Super Fund
AUTHOR
Hope William-Smith
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