Property Male Champions of Change drive progress on diversity

Property Male Champions of Change drive progress on diversityImage: NSW Diversity Lunch – Carmel Hourigan, AMP Capital; Natalie Wray, The GPT Group; Carol Schwartz AM, convenor of the PMCC; David Harrison, Charter Hall; Steve McCann, LendleaseTwenty-one of the property industry’s largest employers have adopted formal flexible work policies and are making progress towards gender balance, according to the Property Male Champions of Change Progress Report released yesterday.The 2016-17 Property Male Champions of Change (PMCC) Progress Report uses performance benchmarks to assess the extent to which PMCC organisations are increasing the representation of women in leadership positions. The PMCC, convened by Carol Schwartz AM (pictured, right), is introducing flexible work policies, reviewing pay equity and increasing the representation of women in senior and executive roles.”Achieving a significant and sustainable increase in the representation of women in leadership in the property industry requires a dedicated and multi-faceted approach,” Schwartz says. The report has found that 100 per cent of PMCC organisations now have formal flexible work policies or strategies, up from 74 per cent the previous year.A total of 75 per cent of the organisations have conducted pay equity reviews in the last 24 months, with all PMCCs committed to conducting reviews every two years.The organisations have achieved gender balance, or progress towards it, in 72 per cent of leadership categories.In addition, the 40:40:20 target (40 per cent women, 40 per cent men and 20 per cent discretionary) for the Property Council’s committee nominations and appointments was met, with women accounting for 43 per cent of the 1,600 committee roles in 2016-17. This is up from 29 per cent two years ago.The report details elevated support for carers in many PMCC organisations, including additional weeks’ leave, removal of qualifying periods for parental leave, return to work bonuses, superannuation on unpaid leave and ensuring long-service leave is accrued during unpaid leave.A range of organisation-specific achievements are also listed throughout the report.Libby Lyons, director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency says the PMCC sends “a very clear message that gender equality is a key business priority”.”Their continued commitment will help the industry thrive by attracting and retaining top talent, fostering innovative thinking and by driving better business outcomes and returns for shareholders.”The Male Champions of Change program was established by then Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick in 2010. There are now around 1 Male Champions of Change who together employ around five per cent of Australia’s workforce.Download the Property Male Champions of Change Progress Report 2016-17.