YWCA AUCKLAND WELCOMES THIRD ROUND OF YWCA EQUAL PAY AWARDS
The YWCA Equal Pay Awards recognises New Zealand businesses addressing equal pay within their organisation. Winners are positioned as thought leaders among their peers, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. This year, Awards’ organisers are more optimistic than ever, as they prepare to launch the third annual campaign amid a rapidly changing equal pay landscape.
YWCA Auckland CEO, Monica Briggs explains.
With New Zealand’s gender pay gap stubbornly holding at 14%¹ and pay equity legal challenges springing up from different quarters, a tsunami of litigation is hitting the tranquil shores of New Zealand, making the issue impossible to ignore. Despite this, YWCA Auckland CEO, Monica Briggs, believes there is room for optimism as more New Zealand businesses make sense of an issue that has been the elephant in the room for far too long. “There’s no denying the tremendous amount of work yet still to be done to address these pay inequities,” says Ms Briggs.
“But I’m also in no doubt there’s an energised interest in equal pay. Our own work in this space indicates this,” she shares.
“I have had the privilege of sitting on the judging panel of the YWCA Equal Pay Awards for two years running, since we launched in 2014. This places you in a unique position to experience first-hand, the equal pay journeys of those who have entered. “It opens your eyes to the solutions, as these businesses chip away at their issue and start to bridge the gaps in their organisation. Never overnight, over time, as part of a committed and conscious effort to do the right thing. “They’ve not only had the courage to address equal pay, they’ve stepped forward to share their experience. You can’t help but feel a sense of optimism that these ‘good guys’ of equal pay have the power to influence a wider pool of change. “You see where they started and you see how far they have come. Living proof that closing the gender pay gap can be achieved with real commitment and determination,” she says. “It motivates us to share these stories and encourage others to join the journey.”
Susan Doughty, fellow judge and Human Capital Partner at EY, shares that optimism. A remuneration specialist herself, with over 25 years’ experience, Susan believes that equal pay is being re-prioritised within the popular Diversity and Inclusion strategies adopted by so many progressive New Zealand businesses today.
“Remuneration specialists, like myself, are seeing more openness and willingness to address equal pay among Kiwi employers,” says Susan, who helps clients tackle talent and reward solutions on a daily basis.
“I don’t believe any organisation sets out to intentionally discriminate against its employees. When it comes to equal pay, a complex matrix of social and historic factors are at play. However, once a business takes the issue seriously and analyses its own gender pay gap, they are often invested in making change happen.
“As judges we have always been impressed by the level of transparency and honesty coming through in past Awards entries. Businesses have fronted up to the pay gaps they have uncovered, showing us their challenges, warts and all.
“These organisations have been quick to act, sharing their response plan and the innovative strategies implemented to address the issues. Without doubt, the most successful case studies have come from organisations who have had commitment at Board level to address equal pay. Strong leadership by the CEO and at the Board level is definitely required,” she continues.
“YWCA Equal Pay Awards winners and indeed all who entered these awards, will greatly benefit by being on the equal pay journey, including attracting a better pool of talent, enjoying improved engagement scores among their staff and experiencing higher retention rates. We hope shining examples of past Awards will inspire the wider business community to follow suit,” she concludes.
This year, the YWCA Equal Pay Awards is sponsored by EY, Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand and newcomers SKYCITY Entertainment Group, who have been recognised two years running in the previous Awards programmes.
Entries for the Awards open from Monday, 20th June at www.ywcaequalpay.org.nz. Businesses have just over three months to enter. Winners will be announced at a special event later this year, on a date yet to be announced.
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Winner of the YWCA Equal Pay Awards 2015, were ANZ Bank, Supreme winner; IAG, Gold Champions; Bell Gull and the Education Review Office jointly won Silver Distinguished trophies and the New Zealand Defence Force took home the Bronze Emerging trophy. SKYCITY Entertainment Group and AMP were acknowledged as Silver Distinguished finalists, a hotly contested category.