Equal Employment Opportunities
WSLHD is committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community. This will help ensure our employees, our patients and their carers, feel supported no matter what their gender, race, age, religious beliefs, physical ability, sexual orientation or background.
Equity is the foundation of our approach to employment. We are part of of one of the most culturally, linguistically and socially diverse areas in Australia: 35% of Western Sydney residents were born overseas, 48% of people speak a language other than English at home and we are home to the largest urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population (11,500 or 1.4%) in the nation. Our aim is to achieve workforce parity with this vibrant profile.
At WSLHD, we strive for equal outcomes in the workforce by increasing ability and capacity among individuals, families, the community and the organisation.
To find out more about how we are supporting equity in employment, refer to:
- WSLHD Workforce Strategic Framework 2015-2020
- WSLHD Aboriginal Workforce Plan 2015-2020
- WSLHD Disability Workforce Plan 2015-2020
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
NSW Health has set a workforce target for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Australia’s First Nations) people of 2.6% of the total workforce. WSLHD is working hard to achieve this target.
Our equal opportunity employment frameworks aim to increase options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by providing opportunities in health care areas where community engagement will have important outcomes – for example, diabetes, cardio and maternity. We are also striving to distribute employment outcomes for Aboriginal people equitably across all salary bands, in clinical and non-clinical roles, in frontline activities and in senior decision-making positions.
People with disabilities
One in five people in NSW have a disability. In keeping with our view that our workforce should reflect the diversity of our community, our aim is to increase the number of people with a disability working at WSLHD to 1.5% by 2020.
At WSLHD, we work hard to create an environment that is inclusive, accepting, and free from discrimination and harassment. We ensure people have equal access to employment they are suitable for, and that all our employees feel valued.
We have specific programs in place to assist people with disabilities. They include comprehensive guidelines on reasonable adjustments for employees with a disability, flexible workplace policies, career pathways for current employees with disabilities and retention strategies for employees who might suffer an injury. As our facilities are redesigned, they are becoming more physically and digitally accessible.
People whose first language is not English
WSLHD is above the benchmark for employing people whose first language is not English. This is in part due to the diversity of local communities our employees come from, recruitment of professionals from overseas and the existence of targeted positions for people of non-English speaking background to improve access to health services (eg: bilingual community educators). Proficiency in another language is a valuable asset at WSLHD, and we welcome people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Women
At WSLHD we embrace diversity and select the best qualified leaders in terms of both experience and leadership style that supports organisational culture and performance. Women are encouraged to apply for leadership positions and are well represented at Senior Management, Executive and Board levels.
http://www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/2017/Girl-Power