Insurers Allianz Australia and Suncorp have been awarded the Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), for the ninth and fifth consecutive year, respectively.

EOCGE encourages and promotes gender equality in Australian workplaces and assesses organisations against a number of criteria covering gender-remuneration gaps, discrimination, targets for improving gender-equality outcomes, flexible working, and other initiatives to support family responsibilities.

Allianz said its key programs – including flexible work opportunities, targeted recruitment practices, and professional development programs – accounted for its win, as they successfully led to more women in management roles, increased talent retention rates, increased return-to-work rates following parental leave, and gender pay-gap reductions.

“When it comes to equality in the workplace, I am proud to lead an organisation that is making a real investment into cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture,” said Richard Feledy, managing director of Allianz. “Being recognised for something we believe in is humbling, and while we have received this recognition, we acknowledge that there is more we can do to push for further equality in our organisation and beyond.”

Suncorp's Amanda Revis, chief people experience officer, said the Brisbane-based insurer was thrilled to be recognised as an industry leader for workplace gender equality.

"We have worked hard to embed equality for all genders through inclusive people policies and workplace practices, including flexible work, pay, access to promotion, development, career opportunities and representation at all levels of the organisation,” Revis said. “We are proud to receive this award at a time when we have achieved gender balance (50% men and 50% women) across our total leadership team."

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