Aug 05, 2024

Philips Australia named Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) for 7th consecutive year

Estimated reading time: 3-5 minutes

Philips Australia celebrates being awarded the Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) for the seventh consecutive year. This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering gender equality within our organization.

This year, WGEA has named 115 employers as EOCGE citation-holders following a rigorous assessment process. This voluntary citation recognises employers actively committed to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces through leadership, learning and development, gender remuneration gaps, flexible working and other initiatives to support family responsibilities, employee consultation, preventing sex‑based harassment and discrimination, and targets for improving gender equality outcomes. Criteria for this WGEA citation are regularly strengthened to reflect best practice.

In taking action to improve gender equality, the EOCGE employers unlock enormous benefits for their business. Employees are more likely to join and to stay in organisations that prioritise a culture of equality and inclusion. Research also shows that businesses with greater gender balance in leadership roles are more profitable and productive.

Mary Wooldridge

CEO, Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA)

Philips Australia’s average total remuneration gender pay gap of 7.5% is well below the WGEA 2022-2023 average gender pay gap of 21.7%, demonstrating how we continues to strengthen our efforts to build a more inclusive culture, where people are valued and accepted for who they are, and where everyone can be themselves. We firmly believe that full and equal participation of all genders is crucial for fostering innovation, productivity, and sustainable economic growth.

As we continue raising the bar to drive greater impact and progress in advancing equity, here are some things we’re proud to celebrate:

An increase in men taking paid parental leave across Philips globally;
Continued investment in our Graduates and Interns programs;
Philips signing on to the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles;
Our Philips Women Lead (PWL) employee resource group that continues to empower women in their personal and professional growth; and
How we’re embracing flexible work, providing leading support for working parents and caregivers, and a range of other benefits and actions that have allowed us to improve the representation of females in Philips Australia, which currently stands at 44% (with 36% in leadership roles).

Our remarkable average total remuneration gender pay gap of 7.5% significantly surpasses the industry average of 21.7%, highlighting our continuous efforts to build a more inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and accepted for who they are.

Matt Moran

Managing Director, Philips Australia and New Zealand

One area we remain focused on is increasing the number of female engineers in our organisation. Currently, 16% of engineers at Philips Australia are women (an increase of 2% since 2022), and we have set a target to reach 20% by 2025 by continuing a conscious focus at point-of-hire and partnering with relevant industry bodies and universities to continue attracting female talent.

Receiving this citation again sends a strong message to our people, future candidates and our customers about who we are and what we stand for. Philips will continue to invest in promoting personal development, inclusion and diversity as a strategic priority, becoming the best place to work for people who share our passion and a socially responsible partner to our customers.