King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has again been named an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
The leading program acknowledges organisations that promote and strive for gender equality in the workplace. KWM's commitment to the program was demonstrated in a number of initiatives and outcomes throughout the year, including:
- Establishing increased gender targets to achieve a partnership that is 40 per cent female by July 1, 2025, with an interim target of 35 per cent by July 1, 2022
- An executive team that is more than 50 per cent female
- The re-launch of our gender equality network as GEN-KWM, formerly known as Engaging Women, tasked with developing local gender diverse committees
- Undertaking a gender pay analysis and sharing the results of that analysis both internally and externally in addition to the establishment of an equal pay charter
- The roll out of conscious decision making training to key partner groups to raise awareness of with regard to the impact of bias and stereotyping
- Commencing superannuation payments on the paid parental leave benefit
- The modelling of flexible working practices by two thirds of KWM's Executive Team during the 100 Days for Change.
KWM Australia Chief Executive Partner and WGEA CEO Pay Equity Ambassador, Berkeley Cox said that the firm's continued recognition as a WGEA Employer of Choice was confirmation that the firm was moving in the right direction, yet acknowledged there is still more to do when it came to creating a workplace that provides equal opportunity for all employees.
"We are proud to have been recognised by WGEA for our commitment to gender equality at KWM and will continue to drive key initiatives to achieve this, including our recently announced stretch targets for female members of the partnership by 2025 and a broader program that encourages flexible working, the eradication of unconscious bias and ongoing coaching and education," he said.
A positive reflection on the commitment to gender equality in Australia, the WGEA citation was awarded to a record number of 141 organisations this year, including 20 law firms.
