The committee that has been responsible for the influential Gender Divide Survey is looking to recruit more members who are passionate about diversity, equality and inclusion in financial services.
Chair Lisa Lintern spoke to InFinance about the recruitment initiative following the departures of Malina Raj SF FIN, Helen Lorigan SF FIN and Wayne Atkinson, who she thanked for their “incredible input” on behalf of the council.
“We are always looking at ways to improve how the council works and can make an impact - and bringing in new members gives us the opportunity have a renewed focus,” said Lisa.
“With Malina, Helen and Wayne stepping down after many years incredible input, it’s a chance to recruit new members who can help drive the council.
“We would love volunteers to join to provide their perspective on important areas that they are passionate about.
“It really is a great opportunity for people who are passionate about these issues to work with the council to create some, real tangible outcomes for the sector.
“It would be great to enlist people who a really passionate and happy to roll up their sleeves to get involved in making a difference.”
While the Gender Divide Survey that was first published in 2010 will continue to be a significant area of focus, Lisa says the council is keen for it to evolve so that it keeps making an impact.
Going into more detail about the kind of issues the DAC will be exploring, Lisa highlighted the way COVID had forced employers to rethink and accept more flexibility and the Working From Home concept. However, with growing calls to get staff back in offices in the CBD, Lisa said there is now a risk that flexibility and the benefits it has brought to so many could be deprioritised.
“Flexible and remote work practises are key to enabling a more diverse workforce. I worry that in this push to get people back into the office, presenteeism – a concept that requires a person to be physically present to succeed - could again be rearing its ugly head,” Lisa said.
Following insights from last year’s GDS which showed larger organisations were viewed as doing better on the whole, Lisa also noted the DAC would be looking at ways to enable to smaller businesses to enhance their DEI.
“It’s not that smaller firms aren’t as forward thinking, but larger organisations have the tools and processes to ensure their DEI offering works,” she said.
“So that's one thing that we want to try and look at through the group is how we can offer help in that area, sharing our knowledge and even drawing up best practice toolkits.”
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