Johnson & Johnson breaking down barriers to gender equality

MedTech News: The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in Australia is pleased to announce that the company has been granted the Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation in 2020-22 by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).

“We’re excited to have been granted the Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. We’re proud of our extensive programs, initiatives and policies that support all of our employees be at their best in all aspects of their lives – from our focus on hybrid ways of working to ensuring equal opportunity in compensation, hiring, development and advancement,” said Charmaine England, Managing Director, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health, Australia & New Zealand.

“We believe that fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, where everyone is treated equally must be intentional. Our workplace must represent the society in which we work and operate in relation to age, gender, race, religion, sexual preference, disability and nationality. Doing this will lead to more robust dialogue, smarter decisions and ultimately, sustainable growth in the short and long term,” said Charmaine England.

According to WGEA Director, Libby Lyons, it is this type of commitment to gender equity that led to the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in Australia receiving its EOCGE citation in 2020-22.

“This year, we are welcoming 17 new EOCGE citation holders who are joining the existing 119 citation holders from 2019-20. Despite the tremendous upheaval and disruption caused to Australian businesses by the COVID-19 pandemic, these dedicated organisations maintained an unswerving commitment to achieving their EOCGE citation.”

“I want to sincerely thank and acknowledge these employers for their extraordinary efforts in these trying times. We know that gender equity is good for business and crucial to our post-COVID-19 economic recovery. By driving better gender equity outcomes in their workplaces, these EOCGE citation holders are showing the right way forward for other Australian businesses,” said Ms Lyons.

As the Asia-Pacific leader of Johnson & Johnson’s Women’s Leadership and Inclusion Employee Network, Charmaine England collaborates with country leaders to not only grow awareness but to advocate for real change and inclusion of women in leadership

“We are proud to be setting the benchmark for other Australian workplaces to follow and we remain committed to in our organisation across both Australia and New Zealand,” said Charmaine England.

The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in Australia and New Zealand is helping to drive positive change for gender equality in the local business and broader healthcare sector. Some of the company’s initiatives to support gender equity include:

• A Parental Leave policy supporting 14 weeks paid leave for birth mothers, 8 weeks paid Bonding Leave for partners and 8 weeks paid Adoption Leave for adoptive parents.
• Supporting employees experiencing domestic and family violence, with access to paid leave.
• Flexible hybrid ways of working, coupled with extensive leave options.
• Ensuring equal opportunity in compensation, hiring, development, and advancement.
• Reinforcing gender equity during hiring and development to attract and retain diverse talent.
• Building inclusive leadership competencies.