Tim Bailey
Zurich Financial Services Australia (Zurich) is proud to announce it has received Economic Dividends for Gender Equality (EDGE) Certification in Australia, underlying Zurich’s ongoing commitment to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Zurich Australia has achieved EDGE Assess, the first level of certification offered by EDGE, which provides data and benchmarking measures to support the identification of specific initiatives to improve gender equality.
“Receiving EDGE Certification is a demonstration of Zurich’s strategic commitment to diversity and inclusion. It’s a key pillar in ensuring Zurich in Australia has the right mix of talent to succeed,” said Tim Bailey, CEO, Zurich Life & Investments, Australia.
As a result of the EDGE analysis, Zurich has committed to making further improvements over the next two years, following targeted equality strategies including:
Equal pay for equivalent work: proactively managing pay equity
Flexible work: Implementing the company’s flexible work program so employees can get the most from different ways of working,
Recruitment and promotion: improving understanding and transparency of promotion processes.
Zurich Insurance Group was the first global company in the insurance industry to be recognised with EDGE certification in key markets, initially in 2015.
“Zurich’s initiatives such as inclusive leadership, focus on gender equality, flexible working, our diversity council and employee resource groups including the Women’s Innovation Group and LGBTI group have supported stronger awareness of inclusiveness and encouraged proactivity from management and employees,” said Sue Maher, Country Head of HR, Zurich Australia and NZ.
EDGE Assess recognises organisations’ public commitment to a strong gender balance, to pay equity, to a solid framework of gender equality policies and practices as well as to an inclusive workplace culture as reflected by high engagement levels of both male and female employees. At the same time, the company identifies the parameters of a concrete action plan to further its progress.