Our Diversity Census

On Monday 16th October, the Personnel Group is undertaking our first workforce diversity census. We have been working toward this for a little while and I am getting a bit excited to see this come to fruition.

The census will see involve an external organisation collecting demographic data from our team and providing us with numbers we can use to genuinely measure the effectiveness of our diversity strategies.

I am under no illusion, that the census is a small first step towards an ongoing body of work, and a journey of improvement. I know that while our intent is good, we are not perfect and have lots of room for improvement. I'm keen for the data that will help guide that journey.

Fortuitously, our census falls almost immediately following the national 'Voice' referendum, and the question of whether our organisational is adequately represented by people of all cultures, and particularly First Nation Australians is prevalent in my mind.

Additionally, the release of the Disability Royal Commission's findings, has me challenging whether we are adequately living our own purpose in helping people with disabilities to integrate into open employment.

In some ways I feel sad that a census is required - I genuinely aspire to a world where there are no barriers to a diverse workplace and there is absolute safety for people to just be who they are, regardless of background. But I know that change needs action and intent.