Benetas: Employer of Choice for Women for 5th year

The Federal Government’s Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) has recognised Benetas as an Employer of Choice for Women.

It is the fifth year that Benetas has received the EOWA citation which is an endorsement of the organisation’s female-friendly work practices. Benetas is one of three not-for-profit aged care service providers in Victoria named in the 2010 list.

Selected organisations – 95 Australia-wide – were chosen against stringent criteria for their workplace policies and practices that support and encourage women across their industry and deliver improved outcomes for women, particularly in the areas of attracting, growing, promoting and retaining female staff.

“This is a fantastic accolade that reflects our ongoing efforts to build a workplace and community that encourages diversity, values potential and develops people,” Benetas CEO, Sandra Hills said.

“With our ageing population, further demand for services will be placed on the aged and community care sector. So Benetas understands the need to be flexible because our staff are, without doubt, the organisation’s most valuable asset. We are extremely proud to have been awarded this citation for the fifth year.

“Providing greater flexibility for our female staff to meet their family needs while also supporting their ongoing professional development is vital for us. It’s the only way we’ll be able to meet the increasing needs for our services, now and into the future.

“As well as family-friendly practices and a real commitment to professional development, we actively listen to our staff to ensure we continue to develop new initiatives and raise the bar every year.”

The majority of the 1,200 plus workforce at Benetas are female and a large proportion of permanent staff work part-time.

For the list of organisations recognised in the 2010 Employers of Choice for Women visit: http://www.eowa.gov.au/EOWA_Employer_of_Choice_for_Women/2010/Media_Page.asp

Media contact: Michelle Low on 0417 536 662

Benetas is a not-for-profit organisation, founded by the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne in 1948. Benetas provides quality aged care services for more than 2,000 older Victorians within its 12 residential care facilities and through its extensive community care programs that enable older people to stay at home with support. Benetas is also one of the leading providers of dedicated day and overnight respite services in Victoria.