Equal employment opportunity

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Council continues to embed the key focus areas of the Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan in our workplace culture. These includes, a 'Diverse and Skilled Workforce', 'Inclusion and Respect' and 'Accessibility'. Some of the key activities undertaken by Council includes: 1. Continuing to promote Council's commitment to workplace diversity in our recruitment practices i.e. advertisements, industry tours etc. 2. Partnering with community Female organisations to provide employment opportunities for First Nations peoples. 334 366 Male 3. Ongoing support mechanisms for staff i.e. through the Employee Assistance Total: 700

Program, and advice and support through the People & Safety Team. 4. Ongoing consultation with staff through the Consultative Committee framework, Culture Surveys, and internal communication from Council's Executive Team. Along with Council's EEO Management Plan, we are continuing to implement initiatives to further support the principles of EEO in our workforce and community through the DIAP and RAP. Council is currently developing a First Nations Employment & Retention Strategy. This strategy seeks to provide further support to First Nations people in our community and workplace, in relation to employment opportunities, training and development, and career development.

Promoting a gender equitable, safe and respectful community

Council’s Equity + Respect team continues to promote the role gender equity and respect play in the prevention of violence against women and their children. A number of initiatives have been undertaken to promote and support gender equity in our workplace and community. Table 7 outlines achievements by the team over the duration of the project.

Focus Achievements Organisational Change • Workplace Equity Strategy and Action Plan • Equity and respect staff training: - Our Watch – change the story - Unconscious bias and inclusivity - Active bystander - NRL’s Voice against Violence workshops - Organisational e-learning modules

Sector Engagement

Communitywide Campaigns • Women in Council program • Inclusive language guide • Implementation of the gender decoder for job advertisements • Family Room • A toolkit for manages: step-by-step guide to assist an employee experiencing domestic and family violence • Internal campaigning: - International Women’s Day / NSW Women’s Week - Harmony Day - Movember - Women’s Health Week • Enlighten for Equity • Wiradjuri and First Nations Youth Project • NRL’s Voice Against Violence workshops (high schools, sporting clubs) • NRL’s Inspire Respect workshops (primary schools) • thDVproject:2650 Steering Committee • Plug and Play Mentoring program for young musicians • My Story. Our Story. Community event with Ray Martin • 16 Days of Activism social media campaign • Reflect Respect campaign • WeDoRespect campaign

Table 7: Equity + Respect team achievements.