Life Without Barriers celebrated our Australian Workplace Equality Index results by attending the Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards on 27 May in Sydney.
Image: Shakeel Ahmed, Maree Howard, Vanessa Musolino, Jessica Stevens, Ashleigh Sternes, Leah Sawell, Michael Crusius, Phil Beckett, Sandra Melo, Gillian Calvert, and Ilias Michalopoulos at the Australian LGBTQ Inclusion awards.
The Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) is the definitive national benchmark for LGBTQ* workplace inclusion. The Index drives best practice in Australia and sets a comparative benchmark for Australian employers across all sectors.
Life Without Barriers has participated in the AWEI for the past five years. We are proud to share that our score has increased each year from 18/200 in 2018, 54/200 in 2019, 74/200 in 2020, 102/200 in 2021, to 124/200 in 2022.
This year, we achieved Bronze Employer Recognition for the second time!
To celebrate our progress, members of our LGBTQIA+ employee network, Pride Without Barriers, attended the Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards on 27 May in Sydney. They were joined by Gillian Calvert AO, Deputy Chair of the Board.
The Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards is an event celebrating and awarding Australia’s top organisations for LGBTQ inclusion based on the results of the AWEI.
Image: From left to right: Shakeel Ahmed, Maree Howard, Vanessa Musolino, Jessica Stevens, Ashleigh Sternes, Leah Sawell, Michael Crusius, Phil Beckett, Sandra Melo, Gillian Calvert, and Ilias Michalopoulos.
Ashleigh Sternes, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, shared her reflections on the event.
“It’s inspiring to be surrounded by organisations working to make Australian workplaces more inclusive for LGBTQIA+ employees. It’s a testament to the power of business in influencing not only organisational culture but broader community attitudes.”
“As a queer woman, LGBTQIA+ inclusion is close to my heart."
"I want to make sure everyone feels they can bring their authentic selves to work each day."
"We spend most of our waking lives at work, and it should be a place of safety and inclusion for everyone. No one should have to check part of themselves at the door.”
“There are so many passionate people at Life Without Barriers contributing their time to support our LGBTQIA+ employees. This recognition belongs to them.”
Image: Jessica Stevens (Senior Social Policy Lead), Ashleigh Sternes (Diversity and Inclusion Lead), and Phil Beckett (Manager, Business Development and Pride Without Barriers Co-Chair).
We are proud of our continued progress in creating an inclusive workplace for LGBTQIA+ employees.
*Pride in Diversity use the acronym LGBTQ. At Life Without Barriers, we use LGBTQIA+.
