SustainCase: How Woolworths ensures workplace diversity

Case study: How Woolworths ensures workplace diversity


As Australia’s second largest private sector employer and New Zealand’s largest private sector employer, Woolworths makes a considerable contribution to employment and the economy. In Australia, Woolworths employed, in 2015, 197,426 people, including 74,848 young employees under the age of 25 years. Workforce diversity is thus a top priority.


Abstract


With more than 3,000 stores in Australia and New Zealand that span food, liquor, petrol, general merchandise, home improvement and hotels, Woolworths aims to create a lively and inclusive workplace for its staff to feel appreciated at work irrespective of their gender, age, ethnicity, beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. After measuring and setting targets, Woolworths took action to improve the representation of women in executive and management roles – in 2014, Woolworths reached its target to have 33% of leadership roles (within two levels below Woolworths’ CEO) filled by women –, create employment opportunities for indigenous Australians, support employees (or potential employees) with disabilities – Woolworths continues to support all of its potential employees by working closely with the Australian Network on Disability to ensure its new recruitment system is disability friendly – and, also, promote age diversity.


Using the GRI Standards in order to maintain and increase the value of your company


With each publication in this series the FBRH team will highlight one key impact identified by a company reporting in accordance with the GRI Standards and show how it has taken a structured, systematic approach to improving performance. With such positive action companies build trust, by dealing responsibly and conscientiously with their impact on the environment and on their stakeholders (e.g. clients, suppliers, shareholders, local communities, NGOs or local government). Stakeholders that can hold it back or stop it from reaching its objectives


By building trust your company creates loyalty and long-term commitment to its services and brands