Annual report 2009-10

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION Equity and Diversity AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION Equity and Diversity Annual report 2009-10 Equal Employment Opportunity Report to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

2 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 CONTENTS

KEY AREAS OF THE EQUITY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAM

RESPONSIBILIT5Y

COMMUNICATION6

DIVERSIT7Y PROFILE AND INITIATIVES Gender 9 Indigenous 14 Race/Ethnicity 19 8 Disability 23 Workplace Culture and Flexibility 27

OBJECTIVES AND EVALUATION 29

3 EQUITY AND DIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10

The Australian Broadcasting In line with developments over Corporation is a national time, the expression “equity and broadcaster established as a diversity” is used in preference to statutory corporation under “equal opportunity in employment” the Australian Broadcasting or “equal employment opportunity” Corporation Act 1983 (“the ABC (throughout the report), as it Act”). The ABC Act, which includes reflects a broader coverage of the ABC Charter, sets out the related objectives and strategies. basic functions and duties of the This report articulates the ABC’s Corporation. EEO program in realising its equity As a Commonwealth authority and diversity strategies, as set out in employer, the ABC is bound by the the ABC’s Equity and Diversity Plan provisions of the Equal Employment 2008–11 and the ABC Reconciliation Opportunity (Commonwealth Action Plan 2009–12. It demonstrates Authorities) Act 1987, the Racial that the Corporation’s EEO program Discrimination Act 1975, the is on track. Sex Discrimination Act 1984, This report is published by the the Australian Human Rights Australian Broadcasting Corporation Commission Act 1986, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, For information about this report, Discrimination Act 2004 and the please contact: Fair Work Act 2009. ABC Manager Diversity This report is made under the People and Learning provisions of Section 9(2) of the GPO Box 9994 Equal Employment Opportunity Sydney 2001 (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987. The reporting period covers 1 September 2009 to 31 August 2010. The Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 requires the ABC to promote equal opportunity in employment for women and designated groups, which are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a non-English speaking background and people with disabilities.

4 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 KEY AREAS OF THE EQUITY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAM

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is required by the Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 (Section 5) to develop an equal employment opportunity (EEO) program designed to eliminate discrimination and promote equal opportunity for women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a non-English speaking background and people with disabilities.

ABC EQUITY AND Leading with Diversity Linking Diversity DIVERSITY PLAN Objective: to promote a culture Objective: to link the equity 2008–11 of opportunity through the ABC and diversity plan with internal In August 2008 the ABC’s Equity Executive Leadership Group corporate-wide frameworks and and Diversity Plan was approved that demonstrates an inclusive external reporting and trends. by the Managing Director, workplace based on shared values. covering the period 1 January RECONCILIATION 2008 to 31 December 2011. Connecting with ACTION PLAN 2009–12 Each Other The Equity and Diversity Plan The ABC, in consultation with 2008–11 has six key themes with Objective: to contribute to a co- managers and staff, developed the objectives and strategies that operative and harmonious work ABC Reconciliation Action Plan form the overall focus and activity environment free of unlawful 2009–12, which was launched of the Corporation’s equity and discrimination, harassment in October 2009, with the aim of diversity program. and bullying. making a proactive and long- term commitment to improving Realising our Potential opportunities for Aboriginal and Objective: to recognise, value and Torres Strait Islander people in use the diverse skills, cultural four key areas: values and backgrounds of our > Cultural Understanding current and potential employees. and Respect > Employment Supporting our > Content Work/Life Balance > Community Links Objective: to promote an environment that supports the work and life balance needs of employees. Engaging with Communities Objective: to implement the ABC’s Charter to reflect the diversity of Australian life by the provision of inclusive and accessible content and services by and for all Australians.

5 RESPONSIBILITY

The Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 requires the ABC to confer responsibility (Section 6 (b)) for the development and implementation of the EEO program.

LEADERSHIP AND DIVERSITY GROUPS To ensure that the objectives and progress of the RESPONSIBILITY AND NETWORKS Reconciliation Action Plan are The ABC’s equity and diversity Equity and diversity contacts, on track a monitoring group program is supported at the appointed in each division, have was established with broad senior management level by the responsibility for the co-ordination membership. ABC Executive Leadership Group. and reporting of activities and Overall responsibility for the the progress of representation Both the Equity and Diversity program lies with the Managing linked to diversity in their areas. Plan and the Reconciliation Director and Divisional Directors. These contacts are at the senior Action Plan provide for the Equity and diversity strategies are management level. establishment of divisional included in senior management employment reference groups A network of around 20 state- to focus on the achievement performance objectives, along with based Employee Contact Officers, the requirement to demonstrate of Indigenous employment formerly called Grievance Contact targets. During the year behaviours and attributes that Officers, assists staff with reflect the Corporation’s values. these groups were set up information and support regarding with both formal and informal The ABC’s People and Learning discrimination, harassment and structures resulting in a Division is responsible for the bullying issues and resolution broad range of activities and development, implementation processes. A review of the role outcomes. Managers and staff and monitoring of the equity during the year confirmed the need appointed to these groups and diversity program. The task for these positions to be retained, include Indigenous staff. is undertaken by the Manager with a change of title that reflects a Diversity and the Indigenous change in policy terminology. Employment Co-ordinator. The The Bonner Committee is the People and Learning Division works ABC’s Indigenous advisory with ABC divisions within a business group and its role is to advance partner framework and across Indigenous development across states and territories. the Corporation, including areas of employment, cross-cultural awareness and activities. During the year a review of the group commenced and positions including Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson became vacant.

6 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 COMMUNICATION

There are three actions included in the Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 that require the ABC to communicate and consult regarding its EEO program: Informing Employees (Section 6 (a)); Consultation with Employees (Section 6 (d)); and Consultation with Trade Unions (Section 6(c)).

INFORMING CONSULTATION CONSULTATION EMPLOYEES WITH EMPLOYEES WITH TRADE UNIONS Employees receive information Broad consultation processes took The ABC continued to consult about the equity and diversity place during the development of the with the Community and Public program by email, the ABC’s Equity and Diversity Plan and the Sector Union (CPSU), the Media intranet and staff newsletters Reconciliation Action Plan. Entertainment and Arts Alliance and notices. The People and Continuous interaction with the (MEAA) and the Association of Learning web pages include People and Learning business Professional Engineers, Scientists access to a specific section on partner teams and divisions and Managers (APESMA) equity and diversity policies, strengthens the objectives and as part of the process of the guidelines, reports, activities and outcomes of the equity and diversity development and implementation contacts. During 2009–10 email, program. A particular focus this of policies and industrial intranet notices and posters year was on meeting with state and agreements. In November 2009, informed staff about: Indigenous territory management teams for following consultation with the activities, services related to the purpose of developing tailored CPSU, the ABC introduced the work/life balance, a diversity equity and diversity plans for each Workplace Behaviour Policy, calendar and development location. which addresses, among other programs for women and people things, the complaints resolution from non-English speaking Forums and workshops provided procedures surrounding backgrounds. the opportunity for feedback and discrimination and harassment. discussion on specific areas, such The ABC commenced negotiations Regular information is sourced as discrimination, harassment and distributed to senior with the CPSU and MEAA in April and bullying, Indigenous, mental 2010 for a new ABC Employment managers, content makers, health awareness, work/life, service providers, targeted Agreement. Agreement is still to gender, race and faith issues. be achieved on the overall terms diversity groups, contacts and Equity and diversity principles representatives. of the new enterprise agreement, and resources are discussed in a however there has been in workshop session as part of the principle agreement between ABC Managers Program. the parties for improvements to maternity leave, the inclusion of a Supported Wage Clause, and greater flexibility in the facilitation of phased retirement options.

7 DIVERSITY PROFILE AND INITIATIVES

The Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 requires the ABC to collect statistics (Section 6(e)) and consider policies, and examine practices (Section 6(f)) in regard to women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a non-English speaking background and people with disabilities.

COLLECTION OF CONSIDERATION STATISTICS OF POLICIES At the end of the 2009–10 reporting AND EXAMINATION period, 74.2% of ABC staff had OF PRACTICES provided EEO data. The collection of Reporting on the ABC’s equity and data is ongoing with new employees diversity policies and practices is The Equity and Diversity Plan invited to complete the EEO survey covered under the areas of Gender, reflects the recognition of form at the time of joining the Indigenous, Race/Ethnicity, Disability and contribution to: Corporation. For those employees and Workplace Culture and Flexibility. > positive leadership; whose responses are not received initially, there is a six month follow Policies and practices are monitored > employment practices based on merit; up requesting the information. through external liaison and research During the year there was trialling in relation to good business practice, > a safe and supportive environment; of a different process of collecting legislative changes and trends. The the data from employees and more ABC’s Manager Diversity continued > initiatives addressing a “fair go”, supporting the frequent surveys will be undertaken as joint President of the NSW EEO recruitment, retention and in the future. Each quarter a Practitioners’ Association, on the Board of Advisers to the Diversity development potential of summary of EEO statistics is employees; and provided to divisions and states for Council Australia and a diversity award judge and speaker at conferences. > strategies that encourage information and progress of their a diverse workforce and diversity representation. The ABC Workplace Values and Code services that reflect and As part of the Corporation’s shift of Conduct statement of principles engage the diversity of the Australian community. to an online recruitment process, refers to fairness, the promotion the employment application form of equity in employment and a was updated to include EEO workplace that values diversity. data. Applicants are invited to Equity and diversity references provide Indigenous, non-English are included in the Recruitment speaking background and disability and Selection Guidelines. Several information. mechanisms assist with quality improvement and assurance within In 2010 the ABC agreed to the ABC in regard to coverage, participate in a University of content and services, such as the Queensland survey of mature ABC Editorial Policies (revised 1 age employees, to assist with March 2009) and the ABC Code research in examining the issues of Practice (revised 1 July 2008). and experiences of this group and Content standards on discrimination, to also gather some Corporation- stereotypes and cultural diversity are wide data for workforce planning, covered in the Editorial Policies. transition to retirement and work/ life balance purposes.

8 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 GENDER

ABC policies and the Equity and discussion with Catalyst Presenter During 2009–10 there were a Diversity Plan have objectives Dr Maryanne Demasi (Television), number of key appointments to and strategies that promote Science Writer/Broadcaster Bernie senior roles that were taken up equal employment opportunity Hobbs (Innovation) and Head by women. ABC Media Releases announced these appointments. for women across the Corporation Strategic Development Abigail and gender-inclusive and non- Thomas (Innovation). Linda Bracken, discriminatory practices. Head Multi-Platform and Content International Women’s Day was Development, Radio. recognised around the country by Leadership management and staff. In , Annabel Crabb, Chief Political Writer, News. Leadership program placements a table of ABC participants attended are offered and taken up by the UNIFEM Breakfast 2010 forum, Meagan Loader, a high proportion of women. at which the keynote speaker was triple j’s Program Director, Radio. The two-year ABC Accelerated ABC South Asia correspondent Lin Buckfield, Leaders Program was launched (News). Executive Producer, in 2008 with an initial intake ABC Television’s Media Watch. of 15 places, 47% women and Development Louise Randall, the second cohort in 2009, with Women also achieved awards for NSW News Editor 40% women. The ABC Advanced career development opportunities Managers Program, designed Fiona Reynolds, for 2010. Sarah Dingle (ABC ABC State Director Tasmania. to assist managers to build on International) won the Andrew Olle their current leadership skills, Scholarship and Margot O’Neill Tanya Ha, appointed to ABC1’s Catalyst, attracted a 50% participation (News) was awarded the Donald rate for women in 2009 and 44% for a series of reports on the McDonald ABC Scholarship to the science of sustainability. in 2010. Of the staff attending Reuters Institute for the Study of the ABC Managers Program, Journalism in Oxford. Sally Riley, 57% were women in 2009 and Head of ABC Television Indigenous 53% in 2010. The Springboard career and Department. personal development program Diana Costantini, Role models and access to for women, in non-managerial women in high profile positions Head of ABC Television Marketing positions, has been offered in Department. provide the opportunity for locations around Australia. In staff to gain insight to the 2009, there were programs offered Natalie Edgar, Deputy Controller ABC Television. career paths and advancement in Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, of women. An International Sydney and Perth with a total of Debbie Lee, Women’s Day forum that 26 ABC participants and in 2010 Head of Comedy, ABC Television. focused on ABC women working there were 18 who completed the in science and innovation was Jennifer Collins, Springboard program in Adelaide, Head of Factual, ABC Television. held at Ultimo in March 2010. Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Mike McCluskey, State Director ABC’s new 24-hour television NSW, facilitated the panel news channel was launched in July 2010 with an on-air team of nine presenters, four of whom were women.

9 International Women’s Day Forum, ABC Ultimo. L–R: Dr Maryanne Demasi, Bernie Hobbs and Abigail Thomas

Targeted Targeted The Technology Division now provides up to eight Opportunities— Opportunities— scholarships each year Women in Sports Women in Broadcast to women undertaking a Broadcasting Technology technical discipline at a TAFE ABC divisions continue to sponsor A review of the long-established institution who are committed opportunities for women in areas Women in Engineering Scholarship to a career in broadcasting. of under-representation. As part of Program was conducted by the As well as the four-week a 10-year initiative the Television Technology Division in 2009. The industry work experience, Division offers sports broadcaster views of women currently employed each successful applicant internships for women, with in technical roles across the receives a $1 000 book the objective to build a pool of Technology and Communications allowance. This reporting potential presenters working in Networks Divisions, as well as period, RMIT student Tseada the male-dominated area of sports senior ABC technical staff were Zekarias was awarded the broadcasting. Under the scheme, canvassed as part of this process. Victorian scholarship and Li Xu the fourth intern, Louise Ransome, As a result of the review, changes studying at Challenger TAFE, was selected during 2010 and will to the framework of the scholarship the Western Australia award, commence a one-year training program include: both in February 2010. contract. Within the Radio Division there is a long-term commitment > a refocus to target the TAFE to the representation of female sector in recognition that this is sports broadcasters. the major source of recruitment of entry-level staff to the Technical Services area; > an increased work experience component, including an element of IT support; and > a name change of the program to “Women in Broadcast Technology.”

10 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 UNIFEM Breakfast, Adelaide. Sally Sara (centre) with participants

Networking Support for GENDER PROFILE Feedback from the senior Gender Guidelines > The ABC Board has two female women’s networking group at The ABC’s Manager Diversity was Board members among the Ultimo confirms the need to invited to be part of a workshop current eight appointments. continue providing opportunities on the development of gender In 2010, seven of the 12 for contact and informal guidelines for broadcasting members of the ABC Advisory discussion. Four lunches and organisations in the Asia-Pacific Council are women, including two evening forums brought area. The workshop formed part the Convenor of the group. together long-term and new of the activities of the Asia Media > At the Executive Director level— senior managers for networking Summit 2010, held in Beijing, i.e. Directors reporting directly during the year. China, arranged by the Asia- to the Managing Director— Pacific Institute for Broadcasting there are four women, heading Development. the areas of ABC Commercial, News, People and Learning and Radio. > The Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania have female Directors. Fiona Reynolds was appointed in 2010 as the State Director Tasmania. Representation of Gender by Occupation

AUGUST 2010 AUGUST 2009 WOMEN MEN TOTAL WOMEN MEN TOTAL Occupational Group NO % NO % NO. NO. % NO. % NO. Senior Executive 128 41.4 181 58.6 309 122 40.7 178 59.3 300 Administrative/ 562 70.6 234 29.4 796 542 70.2 230 29.8 772 Professional Program Maker 1 460 48.9 1 529 51.1 2 989 1 414 48.3 1 516 51.7 2 930 Technologist 45 12.4 318 87.6 363 47 13.0 316 87.0 363 Retail 149 79.7 38 20.3 187 130 80.2 32 19.8 162 Total 2 344 50.5 2 300 49.5 4 644 2 255 49.8 2 272 50.2 4 527

(Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, within Occupational Group)

11 > For the first time the overall > In line with workforce > Women have a higher number of women employees has participation across industries, representation in most age exceeded the number of male the administrative/professional groups under 45 years, with employees, with 50.5% (2009, and the retail groups have high a greater number of men 49.8%) women and 49.5% (2009, proportions of women while men 45 years and older in each 50.2%) men. Five years ago in dominate the technologist group. age band. 2005 women represented 48% > The high number of women in > Overall, 30% of the and a decade ago in 2000 44.9%. the retail group is reflected in the Corporation’s workforce is > The ABC’s percentage of women lowest salary range where nearly 50 years and older, while within the senior management 80% of this group are women. nearly half (14%) of this group continues to edge upwards > In 2009–10, women dominated proportion is under 30 years. with an increase of 0.7% from in most of the years-of-service The median age of ABC 40.7% (122) in 2009 to 41.4% (128) groups up to 20 years’ service. female employees at the end this year. There is one exception; there of the reporting period is 40 > The program maker group also is a slightly smaller number of years and the median age of closed the gap, with the women’s women in the 11–15 year bracket. men is 46 years. ratio increasing by 0.6% to 48.9% Men have the greater numbers in over the past year and up from the years-of-service groups for 45.9% in 2005. more than 20 years.

Women Men Representation of $90 171 and above 41.6 58.4 Gender within Salary Ranges, August 2010 $79 717–$90 171 42.7 57.3 $71 368–$79 717 43.0 57.0 $64 063–$71 368 44.0 56.0 $58 368–$64 063 56.0 44.0 $50 870–$58 368 65.7 34.3 $45 292–$50 870 63.0 37.0 $39 657–$45 292 66.2 33.8 $39 657 and below 78.6 21.4

(Percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff)

12 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 Far left: Women in Women in Broadcast Broadcast Technology Technology Scholarship Scholarship Presentation, Presentation, ABC Perth. ABC Melbourne. L–R:Geoff Duncan, State L–R: Randal Mathieson, Director Western Australia, State Director Victoria, Li Xu and Kris Bathgate, Tseada Zekarias and Manager Technical Services, Don Morganella, Manager Western Australia Technical Services Victoria

Left: Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, Gender Guidelines for Broadcasting Organisations Workshop, Beijing, China. Chrissie Tucker, Manager Diversity (centre) with workshop participants

Representation of Gender by Length of Service, August 2010

Length of Service (Number of Years) (Number based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff) WOMEN MEN Length of Service (Number of Years) (Number based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff) WOMEN MEN

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1 000 1 100 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1 000 1 100

Representation of Gender by Age, August 2010 Age (Number of Years) (Number based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff) WOMEN MEN Age (Number of Years) (Number based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff) WOMEN MEN

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

13 INDIGENOUS

The Equity and Diversity Plan and career skills, share recognition of Indigenous Staff Reconciliation Action Plan include work output and career milestones objectives and strategies that and engage with ABC leaders and Conference provide a framework to support local communities. Across the week there were significant events and initiatives linked to the ABC’s connections: Corporate target to achieve a 2% Encouraging > timewise, the conference was level of Indigenous employment. Indigenous held during the same week that The ABC Editorial Policies provides Cultural the ABC Board and Leadership guidelines for producing Indigenous Awareness Group were in Melbourne, Australian content and specifically enabling participation by Among Staff these Corporate leaders in that the ABC must reflect the cultural As well as the launch of the conference activities; diversity of Australian society, which Reconciliation Action Plan and the > the Reconciliation Action includes presenting content by, for Indigenous Staff Conference taking Plan was launched by the and about . place, the other major activity was ABC Chairman, Maurice the finalisation and rollout of the Newman and distributed Indigenous Staff Indigenous Culture in the ABC at the conference dinner; Conference 2009 learning opportunity for all staff. > a careers day, presented by Melbourne was the host city for the This program, a key element of conference delegates, was held 2009 Indigenous Staff Conference the Reconciliation Action Plan, has at ABC premises at Ripponlea for local and interstate held from the 26th to 29th October been designed to provide a face-to- students; 2009 with 34 Indigenous participants face workshop followed by access > the community day enabled to an online interactive tool, to be from a range of divisions and Indigenous staff to engage locations. This forum, organised delivered on a state and territory with the Yorta Yorta people by the Indigenous Employment Co- basis. The content, which has ABC of northern Victoria; and ordinator, People and Learning, is customisation and Indigenous staff > the conference dinner held every two years and aims to participation, aims to increase proceedings recognised provide Indigenous staff with the employees’ knowledge about the and presented a number of opportunity to network, develop history and culture of Indigenous awards, including a special people around Australia. The pilot award to Charlie King (Radio) workshops were held in South for his community work in the Australia in May 2010 with positive Northern Territory and long- service awards for Indigenous feedback. So far 23 workshops, with staff. Charlie King was also 351 attendees, have been held in the a recipient of a long-service Australian Capital Territory, New award along with Warren South Wales and South Australia. Brown (Office of the Chief Operating Officer), Daniel Browning (Radio), Wayne Chee (ABC Resources), Craig Park (Technology), Brendan Read (ABC Resources) and Francis ABC Chairman Maurice Newman speaking at the Tapim (News). Indigenous Staff Conference dinner, Melbourne

14 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 Participants at the Indigenous Staff Conference, Melbourne

Employment Indigenous Employment Activity Outcomes The objectives and actions of > Four interns have commenced in the areas of News (two), the Reconciliation Action Plan Radio (one) and Technology (one) and three have been selected have generated substantial to start in late 2010 with Radio (two) and Business Services (one). The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace activity and outcomes towards Relations administers the internship program by providing a a greater connection with database of students undertaking tertiary studies and matching Indigenous communities and them with registered organisations. The ABC provides financial organisations around Australia assistance and work placements, with a view to ongoing and a concentrated focus on employment, where there are suitable vacancies, at the employment initiatives. successful completion of the internship. Ideas and actions have sprung > The Television Division created a targeted position to undertake from the establishment of the role of the Head of ABC Television’s Indigenous Department. This provides the opportunity for the recently appointed senior Indigenous Employment manager to expand and create new Indigenous programming. Reference Groups in divisions This Division also employed Indigenous staff throughout the year and state and territory-based on a specified task basis working on Indigenous content. working groups. Most ABC divisions have formed internal > The Television Division also appointed a new employee in March 2010, within the administrative/professional classification. groups made up of Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff to > ABC International targeted an administrative position in acknowledge the number of Melbourne with the successful applicant appointed in July 2010. people needed to be recruited to > Through the Radio ABC Open project two Indigenous producers reach their divisional 2% target were appointed as part of a broad recruiting exercise. Their and to determine the take-up of role is to produce a range of content—photos, audio, video and options to achieve the target. text—across the ABC’s national network of Local Radio stations and their communities in regional Australia. Also in Radio two Indigenous publications and a program makers were appointed in regional Western Australia. range of recruitment formats > The Innovation Division targeted and filled a position for a cadet were used to reach and inform a online producer. wide range of Indigenous people about ABC job opportunities. > The News Division appointed an Indigenous cadet as part of the Recruitment processes 2010 cadetship intake. were tailored to encourage applications and maximise the employment outcomes. The ABC subscribed to an Indigenous- only careers website.

15 Indigenous Staff Right: Student group as part Conference Careers of a tour of ABC Canberra Day, ABC Melbourne. L–R: ABC Resources staff Wayne Chee Centre right: Indigenous Staff and Brett Whelan Scholarship Awards and 20th Anniversary of the Speaking Out program, ABC Ultimo. Presenter/Producer Speaking Out, Rhianna Patrick and Paul Brant, Indigenous Employment Co-ordinator

Far right: Indigenous Staff Scholarship Awards and 20th Anniversary of the Speaking Out program, ABC Ultimo. L–R: Dr Linda Burney MP, Mark Scott, ABC Managing Director, Rhianna Patrick, Paul Brant and Wayne Coolwell

Development > In South Australia ABC staff NAIDOC Week— arranged a placement for an Each year ABC Indigenous Staff Indigenous secondary student July 2010 Scholarships are awarded to with the Television programs NAIDOC Week is recognised support staff with their career Poh’s Kitchen and Talking Heads. around Australia through a development. The recipient of the range of activities, as well 2010 Excellence Award was Grant > Northern Territory Batchelor as extensive coverage and Saunders, Television Division, College students visited the content related to Indigenous Ultimo. The $10 000 funds will be Darwin premises for a tour, a people and achievements used to attend relevant courses. demonstration of various roles across all the ABC platforms, Roanna Edwards, Radio Division, and information about career including these initiatives. Perth, received the $4 000 Incentive opportunities. > ABC Radio established a Award to undertake Indigenous > Batchelor College students temporary digital radio stories for a broader career also visited Melbourne premises station, also available on experience. in late 2009 and Brisbane as ABC online, for the week, The night of the awards was part of a workshop conducted dedicated to Indigenous shared with the Radio Division’s by the University of Queensland program content. celebrations of the 20th anniversary in May 2010. > The Musgrave Park of the Speaking Out program on > ABC Far North Studios in Family Fun Day in ABC Local Radio. Queensland hosted students Brisbane showcased from Cooktown High School to Aboriginal and Torres Work Experience assist their career aspirations Strait Islander cultures The ABC continues to provide work in the media. through entertainment, experience for Indigenous people > A tour was arranged at ABC displays and information across the Corporation. The following Ultimo for a group of young stalls and attracted around are examples of such arrangements. people from the western suburbs 15 000 people. The ABC > Three students from regional of Sydney, who were part of the was represented by a and three from Short Black Films group. live broadcast by 612 the Sydney metropolitan area > Canberra held a tour and ABC Brisbane, the ABC’s participated in the ABC’s School presentation for Indigenous Exhibition Trailer and OB to Work Indigenous Scholarships secondary students under the tent. Brisbane staff attended scheme in conjunction with the auspices of the ACT Education to support the Corporation’s New South Wales Department of Department. activities. Education. Funds towards their educational expenses, two-week work placements each year and access to a mentor form the Batchelor College tour, basis of the program. ABC Darwin. Mary Hawke, ABC Resources, with a student

16 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 > Content from Radio’s Awaye! NAIDOC Week launch, introduced > Staff also departed the and Speaking Out programs by the ABC Managing Director, ABC for a range of reasons, were broadcast throughout the Mark Scott, included an overview including reaching the end of week on a range of networks. of the work of the Message Stick their employment contracts, > Other content included: long- Television program. redundancy and to take-up form documentary programs appointments with other from Radio National; a series INDIGENOUS PROFILE employers and re-location. of Local Radio interviews > The ABC has a Corporation- The net result of appointments with Indigenous high wide target to seek to achieve and departures was four achievers who were “first” an initial 2% level of Indigenous additional staff members. in their chosen careers; the employment. The number of > The majority of Indigenous staff Breakthrough Indigenous Indigenous employees continued are program makers and there concert was presented to edge upwards, from 53 in 2008, is one senior executive who was on ABC2 and triple j; live to 58 in 2009 and 62 in 2010. The appointed in 2010. rate of representation has stayed coverage of the NAIDOC Week > The Northern Territory the same as last year at 1.3%. official events in Melbourne continues to have the highest were broadcast around > There were a number of Indigenous employment the country by Radio; and Indigenous people recruited representation. It is the only extensive information about during the year under various state or territory with more NAIDOC on the ABC online employment arrangements than 2% Indigenous staff of the Indigenous portal. including Ongoing, Fixed Term, total staff number of the area. > All states and territories Specified Task and Casual. hosted events at ABC Applicants were appointed to premises, for example: positions advertised generally Western Australia invited and targeted to Indigenous an Elder to talk about the people, as well as employment history of the East Perth area; initiatives such as traineeships, Tasmania displayed the work internships and as cadets. of Indigenous culture from the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery; NAIDOC Week Musgrave Park Family barbeque for staff in Civic Fun Day, Brisbane. L–R: Alanah Stortelder, Park, Darwin; half-day event Mike McGowan, State of Indigenous catering, music Director, Queensland and discussion in Melbourne and Tiga Bayles featuring a performance by the cast of Australia’s first Indigenous opera Pecan Summer; and Ultimo’s

17 NAIDOC Week launch, ABC Ultimo with Miriam Corowa, Message Stick Presenter

NAIDOC Week forum, ABC Melbourne. L–R: Deborah Cheetham, ABC Radio Presenters Jon Faine and Daniel Browning and Aunty Joy Murphy

Representation of Indigenous People by Occupation

AUGUST 2010 AUGUST 2009 Occupational Group No. % No. % Senior Executive 1 0.3 - - Administrative/Professional 8 1.0 12 1.6 Program Maker 48 1.6 42 1.4 Technologist 5 1.4 3 0.8 Retail - - 1 0.6 Total 62 1.3 58 1.3

(Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, within Occupational Group)

Representation of Indigenous People by State/Territory

AUGUST 2010 AUGUST 2009 State/Territory % No. % No. Northern Territory 8.3 11 10.4 14 New South Wales 1.4 31 1.2 27 Western Australia 1.4 4 1.1 3 Queensland 1.3 5 1.0 4 South Australia 1.1 4 0.6 2 Tasmania 1.1 2 1.1 2 Victoria 0.5 4 0.6 5 Australian Capital Territory 0.5 1 0.6 1 Total 1.3 62 1.3 58

(Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, within State/Territory)

18 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 RACE/ETHNICITY

The Equity and Diversity Plan Broader > ABC’s international 2008–11 and ABC policies broadcasting operations contain objectives and strategies Employment continue to build on services that focus on race/ethnicity and Opportunities, and engagement in the Asia- the representation of people Access and Pacific region. Radio Australia from a non-English speaking Participation employs a high number of staff background (NESB). > Across the ABC, during the from non-English speaking Section 11 of the ABC Editorial reporting period, a number backgrounds, whose broad Policies, which deals with of recruitment campaigns, range of language skills is content standards, includes large and small, reflected the essential to deliver a product provisions in relation to cultural Corporation’s new ventures to Asia and the Pacific. diversity that state: and expanded services. These > The Television arm of the included multichannelling, international services, Australia > the ABC is committed to specialist portals, wider regional content which represents Network, devised a new coverage and story-gathering program, Australia and Me, Australia’s cultural, ethnic capacities and access to a and racial diversity; featuring the stories of people variety of online platforms. who have moved to Australia > the Charter requires the This presented opportunities to from India, China, Sri Lanka, broadcast of programs that attract and employ a broader Indonesia, Vietnam and the contribute to a sense of range of faces, voices and views Philippines. national identity and reflect across the spectrum of the ABC’s the cultural diversity of the services. Part of this diversity > In South Australia 1062 ABC Australian community; and was achieved by the employment Riverland broadcasts the of people from a range of Voice of Greece program, > ensuring that the on-air cultures and backgrounds. the only foreign-language and online “look” and program broadcast by ABC “sound” of the Corporation > Areas of the Corporation are Radio. The program also adequately reflects Australia’s reviewing the diversity of their broadcasts Community multicultural society has workforce and content and Service Announcements and employment implications. developing strategies to ensure information on community greater cultural and linguistic issues such as health in six diversity. languages: English, Greek, > In July 2010, a new online Turkish, Punjabi, Vietnamese Religion and Ethics portal and Italian. was launched, as a site > The Television Division, encompassing commentary, on a needs basis, employs analysis, news and features on translators, script readers a wide range of religious, ethical and assessors from diverse and philosophical issues. cultural backgrounds to assist in program making.

19 Panel members for the Leadership Training Program for Young Muslims, ABC Ultimo. L–R: Scott Stephens, Patrick Abboud, Rebecca Barrett, Noel Debien, Martin Corben and Gordon Lavery

> The News Division provided > ABC Commercial continues to Program. This opportunity information and workshop support cultural, ethnic and is part of the State content to journalists that refers racial diversity across its range Government’s commitment to cross-cultural reporting of products. to multiculturalism and and also employs a Language community harmony and is Research Specialist who advises Work Experience open to students or early and produces information and Support career journalists who on language, including non- Under government and community particularly come from a discriminatory language. schemes, work experience Muslim background and/or > There is a telephone interpreter is provided to migrants with have a strong understanding service for contacts and professional qualifications from of Muslim cultures. complaints from people from non- non-English speaking backgrounds. Communication skills online English speaking backgrounds, In late 2009 the ABC Resources courses are offered to and surveys are undertaken to Division at Ultimo provided a two- employees from non-English ascertain views with questions week placement for a migrant with speaking backgrounds as including country of birth and media experience. part of the New South Wales languages spoken at home. The In Victoria, ABC’s Radio Australia Skillmax Program. During the results of the surveys can assist and Rural Departments provided year, through consultation the ABC to gauge the appeal of its work experience and mentoring with state and territory services by community diversity to a participant in the Victorian management, other locations and can link this information and Department of Premier and were identified that require this feedback to the composition of the Cabinet—Media Internships form of training for their staff. ABC workforce. > Many programs feature news and stories on people and cultures, for example: Radio National delivered a week of special programming on China both on the ground and on air; ABC Local Radio explored the Leadership Training Program for Young Muslims, ABC Ultimo theme of Christmas with diverse communities; the World in Sydney extended its focus to a week, with the emphasis on stories of well- known Australians from diverse backgrounds, on 702 ABC Sydney; and Radio National sought ABC staff with a variety of language skills for a special Asia-Pacific season of works, promoting different voices and languages.

20 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 Technology Division’s Harmony Day event, ABC Ultimo with staff member Francis Lo

Raising Awareness and Collaboration

For the second time, ABC Ultimo hosted a group from the Leadership Training Program for Young Muslims, arranged by La Trobe University, Melbourne. In July 2010, 28 participants engaged in a panel discussion on the reporting of Muslim-related issues in the media with the recently-appointed Online Editor of the Religion and Ethics portal, Scott Stephens (Innovation Division), Rebecca Barrett and Gordon Lavery from the News Division and Patrick Abboud, Martin Corben and Noel Debien from the Radio Division. Eleanor Hall, the presenter of The World Today, moderated the Q&A session, which also provided the opportunity for networking and engaging contacts.

The New South Wales State Director, Mike McCluskey, joined a panel on Media and Inclusion as part of the City of Sydney Living in Harmony Festival 2010. His contribution focused on the ABC’s role in reflecting the national identity and cultural diversity of Australia (see adjacent photo).

A delegation from Radio Thailand visited ABC Southbank in May 2010. The visit was arranged through ABC International to provide the delegation with the opportunity to hear about the ABC’s networking, programming and archiving systems and practices.

Broadcaster accepted an invitation to speak at Granville Boys High School as part of an International Women’s Day forum. The school community is culturally diverse and the forum was targeted at the parents of the students and the teachers, to celebrate multiculturalism and a supportive community.

Information on programs and developments relating to race/ethnicity, events and intercultural training, was distributed to senior management, equity and diversity contacts, journalists and program makers to increase awareness and diversity of coverage and content. Material highlighted the Federal Government’s Harmony Day activities and guidelines and reports on race issues and race and religious discrimination.

The take-up of the recognition and celebration of Harmony Day and local festivals increases each year. Highlights were: Technology Division at Ultimo with the creation of “harmony” artworks; a shared staff lunch with diverse dishes reflecting the staff’s backgrounds in Adelaide; ABC joined the parade of the South Australian Moon Lantern Festival (see adjacent photo); and New South Wales arranged an online swap of recipes from a range of cuisines.

21 NON-ENGLISH > The technologist occupational > Divisions with the highest group has the highest ratio proportion of staff from SPEAKING with nearly one-quarter of staff non-English speaking BACKGROUND from non-English speaking backgrounds are: PROFILE backgrounds. Program makers, Communications Networks, > The representation of staff from although with the lowest ABC International, Business non-English speaking backgrounds proportion of NESB, as a group Services and Technology. at the end of August 2010 was are steadily increasing over time. 11.5% (397), an increase of 0.3% > The main languages of ABC staff (359) from last year and 1.0% who completed the EEO survey higher than five years ago (10.5%). and nominated their non-English speaking language background are: Italian (66); German (50); Chinese, including Cantonese and Mandarin (50); French (43); and Greek (37).

Representation of People of Non-English Speaking Background by Occupation

AUGUST 2010 AUGUST 2009 Staff with EEO Data Staff with EEO Data Occupational Group No. % No. % No. % No. % Senior Executive 27 10.0 269 87.1 28 10.6 263 87.7 Administrative/ 109 16.8 647 81.3 97 16.4 593 76.8 Professional Program Maker 165 7.9 2 083 69.7 148 7.7 1 933 66.0 Technologist 80 24.8 322 88.7 68 23.2 293 80.7 Retail 16 12.7 126 67.4 18 13.3 135 83.3 Total 397 11.5 3 447 74.2 359 11.2 3 217 71.1

(Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, within Occupational Group, who provided information on the ABC’s EEO Data Collection Form in regard to their non-English speaking background. Staff with EEO data represents Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, who completed the language section of the EEO Data Collection Form—both English speaking and non-English speaking backgrounds.)

22 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 DISABILITY

The Equity and Diversity Plan Mental Health 2008–11 includes objectives and strategies that focus on people Awareness with disabilities. and Training ABC Editorial Policies outline content standards on > Mental health awareness and management of issues have been discrimination and stereotypes, a major focus of information and training for managers and staff, with references to people with following initial work in this area in 2009. For all staff, depression disabilities and to accessibility. awareness seminars have been offered or planned for each state There are also Accessible and territory. These seminars are conducted by the ABC’s employee assistance provider Davidson Trahaire Corpsych, supported by Television Guidelines about the People and Learning Division with materials from the national services to assist audience depression initiative beyondblue. members who are blind or have a visual impairment or limited > For a broader learning experience, Mental Health First Aid Certificate trainers have been sourced and courses delivered in all states and reading comprehension. territories. The objectives of this two-day course are to: increase knowledge of mental health data and the range of mental health Announcement types; reduce the stigma of mental health issues; recognise the signs of the ABC’s of mental health and related conditions; and provide strategies to Disability Portal support people and situations in regard to mental health. Over 100 managers have completed this training. In August 2010 the ABC’s Innovation Division announced > The Technology Division arranged for a group of their managers to complete this course as well as a follow-on session about how to a new online portal, funded by apply the learning and manage mental health issues in the workplace. the Department of Families, This tailored learning is being viewed as a pilot for application in Housing, Community Services other divisions. and Indigenous Affairs, that will reflect the experiences and > Other external depression awareness initiatives have been supported and the 2010 Workers with Mental Illness: a Practical Guide for views of people with disabilities, Managers, provided by the Australian Human Rights Commission as well as related topics and has been distributed to relevant staff. issues. A promotional webpage calling for public involvement has been published and the site will include advanced functionality to maximise access by people with disabilities.

23 The ABC’s webpage announcing the new ABC Disability Portal

Accessible Recruitment and Placements Online Services for People with Disabilities In line with accessible online > As a result of the upcoming launch of the Disability Portal two positions services, the Innovation Division has: were advertised to develop the content and enhance web accessibility; both aimed at specifically encouraging applicants with disabilities. > included mandatory accessibility standards into a comprehensive > The ABC participates in the Australian Network on Disability’s Willing and Able Mentoring Program. Its purpose is to match a student with set of User Interface guidelines a disability in their final year of tertiary study, with a mentor in the that have been rolled out across industry in which the student hopes to establish a career. Television ABC Online; Division has worked with a number of students over the years and > arranged an ABC seminar, again in 2010, with the provision of mentoring, work placement and support. As a result one of the participants is now working as Improving Accessibility on ABC a program maker within the Television area. Websites, in September 2009, for Developers and Producers > In Western Australia the Disability Services Commission partners across the Corporation to raise with organisations to provide work placements for people with disabilities. Two interns were appointed from April 2010 until the end awareness and knowledge; of 2010 in the Radio Division, to generate stories and pitch ideas that > achieved higher standards of embrace and promote the inclusion of disability in communities across accessibility by the roll out of all ABC Local platforms. an accessible global header and > Canberra was host to a Year 12 high school student with a disability footer navigation across all sites; in May 2010. The student’s interest in a career in journalism was and supported by a placement in the News Room and with Radio. > included accessibility as a > Work experience was also provided to a person with a learning topic in an introductory training disability with ABC Resources at Ultimo and an eight-month session for new ABC staff rehabilitation placement for a person with a psychological disability in involved in online development. Adelaide (Business Services and People and Learning Divisions). > The News Division continues to promote the employment of people with disabilities, by employing an office assistant with learning difficulties, through an external disability job placement agency.

24 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 Reasonable Additional Areas Products Adjustment of Focus and and Services and Access Consultation ABC Commercial actively ABC employees with new and Reporters in the News Division are seeks to create and license pre-existing injuries and/or provided with a publication, Words consumer products in a variety disabilities are actively provided Matter, produced by the Physical of formats that meet the needs with support from the People Disability Council of New South of its customers and audience, and Learning Division in the Wales, to assist with awareness including: form of workplace assessments raising and the language and issues > ABC DVDs carry captions/ and other reasonable of reporting on content related to subtitles, with the exception adjustments. Employees who disability. of some DVDs for pre-school require gradual reintroduction The ABC Advisory Council members children, in order to better to work following injury are also include a person with a disability meet the needs of the deaf and supported to maximise their and consultations are held in the hearing impaired community; rehabilitation capacity. community regarding disability > DVD titles sourced from The Technology Division consults perspectives and recommendations overseas have captioned/ with, and supports employees have been included in reports to the subtitled DVDs where available; with disabilities, with updated Corporation. technology to ensure access > ABC Audiobooks produces a The Manager Diversity is a Board range of products including issues are properly identified member/Vice Chairperson of and addressed. content sources from the ABC the not-for-profit organisation and licensed to Vision Australia Accessibility issues are taken Accessible Arts which promotes to improve services for the into account as a matter of the participation and access for visually impaired; course by both ABC Property people with disabilities in regard Services and Capital Works in to all art forms and performance > ABC Shops display signage to the redesign or fit-out of any venues. This provides contacts enhance customer awareness space. There is a Teletypewriter and information to assist the ABC of captioned products and to (TTY) facility available for the with strategies for the access encourage customers to ask purpose of contacting the ABC and participation of people with for assistance; and about services and programs. disabilities across the Corporation. > ABC Shop Online has unique features to assist those with disabilities to access the site and to identify relevant products.

25 Representation of People with Disabilities by Occupation

AUGUST 2010 AUGUST 2009 Staff with EEO Data Staff with EEO Data Occupational Group No. % No. % No. % No. % Senior Executive 18 8.0 224 72.5 17 7.7 220 73.3 Administrative/ 54 9.1 594 74.6 56 10.3 543 70.3 Professional Program Maker 122 7.5 1 619 54.2 113 7.8 1 453 49.6 Technologist 34 12.3 276 76.0 31 12.7 245 67.5 Retail 7 5.7 123 65.8 7 5.3 132 81.5 Total 235 8.3 2 836 61.1 224 8.6 2 593 57.3 (Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, within Occupational Group, who provided information on the ABC’s EEO Data Collection Form that indicated they have a disability. Staff with EEO data represents Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, who completed the disability section of the EEO Data Collection Form—both those who have a disability and those who do not have a disability.)

In 2009 ABC Commercial was the Captioning recipient of the “Most Consistent > The ABC continues to increase the amount and diversity of captioned Use of Captioning” Award at the programs for people who are hearing impaired or deaf, taking into 2009 Deafness Forum of Australia. account the costs of delivering this service. In 2009–10 the ABC ABC Television won the International broadcast over 15 000 hours of captioned content on ABC1, ABC2 and Paralympics Media Award in 2009 ABC3, across a range of genres including national and local news and current affairs, drama, and factual programs. Particular emphasis in the Broadcast Category for continues to increase the captioning of Children’s and Educational outstanding coverage of the Beijing content, resulting in over 6 300 hours broadcast. In addition to 2008 Paralympic Games. continuing to caption important national and public events, such as state ANZAC Day Marches and the Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux EMPLOYEES WITH Memorial services, notable special events captioned in 2009–10 DISABILITIES PROFILE were the Apology to the Forgotten Australians and coverage of sporting events such as the Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, > There are 235 employees with the Wheelchair Basketball World Cup Challenge and Asia Oceania disabilities, representing 8.3% of Men’s Cup. staff who have provided EEO data, > In strengthening the commitment to the Deaf and Hearing Impaired which is reasonably higher than community, in early 2010 the ABC introduced captioned content on the the ABC’s target of 5% people internet catch-up service iVIEW. Over 100 hours of new programming with disabilities of all staff. is now available each week with the option to view with captions. > The technologist and > Almost 100% of programs broadcast in the ABC1 primetime schedule administrative/professional (6pm to midnight) are captioned, with overall captioning (6am to occupational groups have the midnight) exceeding 90%. The ABC continues to caption first-run highest ratios. programs on the free-to-air digital channels with 87% of total programming in the ABC2, 5:30am to 2am transmission period and on ABC3, the ABC’s channel dedicated to children, over 60% of the content is captioned. > Feedback from viewers, be it positive or negative, in regard to caption output and quality is always reviewed and the ABC regularly meets and liaises with groups and organisations representing the Deaf and Hearing Impaired community in an effort to stay informed of relevant issues and viewpoints and to strengthen and promote the commitment to maintaining high quality captions.

26 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 WORKPLACE CULTURE AND FLEXIBILITY

The Equity and Diversity Plan and communicated to staff during Over the past ten years, there 2008–11 and ABC policies have the year. Linked to the policy, has been a significant shift within objectives and strategies that the mandatory training for all the Corporation to a workplace contribute to a positive and managers and staff continued culture that has a range of flexible workplace environment. with the Creating a Better Place variable work practices and The ABC Strategic Plan 2010–13 to Work workshops. The content options. During the reporting was developed and launched and materials of the workshop period, 179 women were during the year with one of were updated to reflect the new undertaking maternity leave, the major goals aiming “to policy. The aim of these sessions four men were on parental leave demonstrate ABC Values in is to raise employee awareness without pay and, at the end of every aspect of our work”. of actions and behaviours that August 2010, there were 531 The ABC Employment contribute to discrimination, female and 121 male ongoing Agreement 2006 to 2010 has harassment and bullying. The part-time employees. provisions for a raft of flexible course also includes discussion Within the News Division there working conditions, some of on valuing diversity, the issues of is a broad commitment to which are flexible hours, part- work/life balance and the resolution support employees with family time work and job sharing, of complaints. During the year there responsibilities through a variety carer’s leave, purchased leave were 19 workshops held around of schemes and a particularly and paid maternity leave and Australia. Overall, there have strong emphasis in newsrooms unpaid parental leave. been 5 629 employees who have which base their roster attended, since the introduction of preparation on a request basis, A Positive this program over five years ago. prepared weeks in advance to Workplace Work and Life meet the needs of all staff within Culture Balance operational requirements. The ABC Strategic Plan To support managers in their The ABC recognises that supporting reiterates the ABC Values of role with implementing flexibility, employees with work and family Integrity, Respect, Collegiality the ABC introduced a new responsibilities is an important and Innovation. These values interactive online resource called part of a positive work culture are referred to, throughout the flex-e, in July 2009. This tool, and integral to attracting and Corporation, in correspondence under licence for 12 months, retaining valued employees. Work and documents and are aimed to provide managers and life balance references are demonstrated and encouraged with knowledge, confidence and included in corporation-wide plans, through appropriate behaviour, skills in applying flexible work policies, employment agreements actions and initiatives. solutions for staff in a range of and initiatives. The Corporation situations. The resource covered The ABC discrimination, continues to offer flexibility in work flexible work-practice principles, harassment, anti-bullying arrangements and job design, model practices and problem/ and grievance policies were access to facilities and the provision solution scenarios, including reviewed and a new combined of information services and video segments which followed policy, the ABC Workplace awareness-raising forums. an evolving flexibility story. ABC Behaviour Policy, was approved case studies and links to ABC

27 Life + activity for staff at ABC Melbourne

policies, resources, agreements Accommodation Project. Agreements and templates supplemented the in place with the childcare facilities content. in Sydney are also reviewed as Over 70 managers completed the required. Around Australia there are flex-e resource, with feedback that parenting rooms for staff and visitors indicated its practical application and a comprehensive vacation care in the workplace environment. As information service for New South a follow up, a toolkit version of the Wales staff. resource has been taken up for All states and territories endeavour 12 months and will be provided to provide work/life programs, with to managers and supervisors in an array of lifestyle and health- September 2010. related seminars and classes and Another new resource for the ABC membership offers to local health was the take-up of a two-year lease centres and activities. agreement for the online Eldercare Information Kit for all staff. This kit Employee Support will assist employees with elder care The ABC’s Employee Assistance responsibilities, and covers the areas Program (EAP), provided by Poster for the new Eldercare Information Kit resource of care services, health, safety and Davidson Trahaire Corpsych, security, consumer rights, money provides a service for ABC staff matters and loss and grief. and their families for counselling in regard to work and personal Childcare Services problems. During the year, 299 and Work/Life employees and family members Programs accessed the service, including those from Indigenous, disability Childcare facilities are available and cultural/linguistic groups and on premises at Ultimo (24 ABC- across all age ranges. priority places) at the University of Technology Sydney (25 places) and The News Division continued to off-site in Melbourne (10 places). operate a cross-divisional Trauma The Melbourne facility contract with Awareness program. More than the Commonwealth Department of 760 staff and managers from Defence is in place until the end of five divisions around the country 2010. The ABC seeks to continue have attended a workshop. Forty this arrangement and is negotiating peer supporters from News, ABC accordingly. As well, the need for Resources and Local Radio have childcare services is being considered been trained. The flex-e resource for ABC managers as part of the ABC Melbourne

28 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 OBJECTIVES AND EVALUATION

The Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 requires the ABC to set objectives and select indicators (Section 6(g)) and to monitor and evaluate the EEO program (Section 6 (h)).

SETTING OBJECTIVES The Equity and Diversity Plan MONITORING has detailed actions and targets, AND SELECTING timelines and the areas of AND EVALUATION INDICATORS responsibility included with The objectives and strategies of The objectives of the ABC’s Equity each objective. the Equity and Diversity Plan and and Diversity Plan 2008–11 are to: the Reconciliation Action Plan The Reconciliation Action Plan are linked to the ABC Strategic > promote a culture of 2009–12 has actions, areas of Plan, divisional business plans opportunity through the responsibility, timelines and and their respective reporting ABC Executive Leadership measurable targets under four main requirements. Group that demonstrates an headings of Respect, Opportunities— inclusive workplace based on Employment, Opportunities— The overall progress of the shared values; Content and Relationships. Equity and Diversity Plan and > contribute to a co-operative the Reconciliation Action Plan is The ABC Strategic Plan 2010–13 reported in the ABC’s Equity and and harmonious work has six strategic goals that commit environment free of unlawful Diversity Annual Report and the the Corporation to being audience ABC Annual Report. The previous discrimination, harassment focused, being high quality, and bullying; year’s activities were reported in being innovative, being values the Equity and Diversity Annual > recognise, value and use based, being efficient and being the diverse skills, cultural Report 2008–09, which was tabled responsible. Equity and diversity in the House of Representatives values and backgrounds of related actions are reflected in a our current and potential on 22nd February 2010 and the range of the performance indicators Senate on 23rd February 2010. employees; linked to the goals. > promote an environment that In 2010, the Equity and Diversity supports the work and life Plan was reviewed in detail, with a balance needs of employees; progress report for each strategy > implement the ABC’s Charter and distributed as a Mid-Term to reflect the diversity of Review document. Australian life by the provision A Reconciliation Action Plan of inclusive and accessible Monitoring Group was set up with content and services by and membership drawn from across for all Australians; and the Corporation. This group has > link the Equity and Diversity determined its terms of reference, Plan with internal corporate- timing and format of review and wide frameworks and external reporting of the progress of the reporting and trends. strategies.

29 Other Equity Sources that provide the ABC with monitoring and evaluation and Diversity of specific initiatives include Reporting external benchmarking surveys, The ABC contributes to the the progressive reports of the Department of Immigration and Employee Assistance Program, the Citizenship’s Access and Equity Employee Contact Officer statistical Report, which seeks responses returns and participant evaluations in providing accessible services including the Indigenous Staff to people from culturally and Conference, the Creating a Better linguistically diverse backgrounds Place to Work workshops, the under performance indicators of Mental Health First Aid Certificate responsiveness, communication, courses and the Springboard accountability and leadership. The program for women. ABC reports separately as both an In October 2009 the ABC received employer and a provider of services an award for Runner Up, under the Commonwealth Disability Employment and Inclusion Award, Strategy in the ABC Annual Report. Indigenous Australians, Large The Corporation participated in Organisation category, of the the 2009 Corporate Responsibility Diversity@Work Awards. Index Survey, co-ordinated by the St James Ethics Centre, which included a range of questions related to diversity.

30 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2009-10 This report is published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation For information about this report, please contact: ABC Manager Diversity People and Learning GPO Box 9994 Sydney 2001

Designed by Pro Bono Publico

31 Equal Employment Opportunity Report to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy