Scentre Group awarded Silver at the 2020 AWEI LGBTQ Inclusion Awards

We are proud to have been recognised as a Silver Employer at the 2020 AWEI LGBTQ Inclusion Awards.

Typically these awards are unveiled at a luncheon ceremony but this year the news was shared online.

LGBTQ Executive Sponsor Phil McAveety said: “We have stepped up our recognition from Bronze to Silver this year which is fantastic and valued external recognition of the continued work we’re doing to create a welcoming, safe workplace that embraces all of our people. To be the place for talent to thrive, every one of us must feel comfortable to bring our whole self to work and have access to the support they need.”

Due to gathering restrictions this year’s awards were announced via Zoom but the award celebration lunch, which is a great opportunity to celebrate with employers across Australia helping to create inclusive workplaces, will be held later this year.

The AWEI stands as the definitive national benchmark on LGBTQ workplace inclusion and with only 19 organisations awarded Silver Employer status, we are in good company alongside organisations such as Westpac, the University of Sydney and Qantas Airways.

Chris Zerial, LGBTQ Lead, says: “Since our first AWEI submission four years ago, we have continued on our journey of diversity and inclusion and every year our AWEI submissions have received a higher and higher score in line with our culture becoming more and more inclusive and supportive. To be recognised as a Silver Employer is great achievement.

“This year the AWEI saw a significant shift in best practice across all employers as participation increases and organisations raise the bar and do more and new things to include and support their people. That’s a really exciting and pleasing outcome for the LGBTQ community at large.”

To achieve an AWEI award, an organisation must make an annual submission, showcasing the work done to be an LGBTQ inclusive workplace, as well as invite all team members to complete the AWEI Survey which identifies the impact of initiatives on organisational culture – all of which we did.

Chris concludes, “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to provide us their feedback through the AWEI Survey. It’s really important as your feedback is what will guide our plans for the coming year, to ensure we are focused on what’s important to our people as we continue to on journey of inclusion.”