IMB Bank celebrates International Women’s Day announcing prestigious workplace gender equality citation

8 March 2021

IMB Bank is delighted to announce on International Women’s Day that it has been awarded the Workplace Gender Equality Agency's (WGEA) Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation for 2021/22.

The citation recognises IMB’s strategic commitment and best practice in promoting gender equality not only in the workplace but across the communities in which it operates.

IMB Bank Chief Executive, Robert Ryan, said, “This is wonderful recognition for IMB Bank and is an important milestone in our business strategy. We strive to provide a workplace that is not only stimulating and enjoyable but supports our team and creates a sense of belonging that enables all individuals to thrive and succeed.

“Critical to our efforts and our ongoing success is an inclusive workplace that ensures equal opportunities for all. We are proud to receive this citation from the WGEA for the implementation of leading-practice equality initiatives. This demonstrates our commitment to our people, our members and, through the IMB Bank Community Foundation, our communities.”

_{We Choose to Challenge: IMB team members Andrew, Melanie and Deniz acknowledge International Women's Day at IMB's head office.}

As a voluntary leading-practice recognition program, the EOCGE citation recognises proactive action in key result areas in leadership, learning and development, closing the gender pay gap, flexible working opportunities, initiatives that support family commitments, preventing sex-based harassment and discrimination, and realising targets for improving gender equality outcomes.

IMB Bank’s gender equality program includes elements such as: paid parental leave for both men and women; supporting flexible work arrangements and ensuring we have gender balanced approaches to hiring and promotion; providing career opportunities for women and men, as well as actively working to close the gender pay gap year on year. The program continues to evolve to foster inclusivity across all levels of the business.

WGEA Director, Libby Lyons, said, “This year, we are welcoming 17 new EOCGE citation holders who are joining the existing 119 citation holders from 2019-20. Despite the tremendous upheaval and disruption caused to Australian businesses by the COVID-19 pandemic, these dedicated organisations maintained a resolute commitment to achieving their EOCGE citation.

“I want to sincerely thank and acknowledge these employers for their extraordinary efforts in these trying times. We know that gender equality is good for business and crucial to our post-COVID-19 economic recovery. By driving better gender equality outcomes in their workplaces, these EOCGE citation holders are showing the right way forward for other Australian businesses.”

IMB’s citation has been the work of several years and continued through the economic stresses of the pandemic, Mr Ryan said. “We are very proud to have been able to achieve this citation during a period of great disruption. Our focus on improving gender equality outcomes is reflected by the significant contribution that women are making to IMB’s success in all levels of our organisation; four of our seven Board members are women and 84% of all management promotions were awarded to women last financial year.

“Women in our senior management ranks are leading large departments and overseeing the major digital initiatives of lending transformation and open banking within IMB,” continued Mr Ryan. “And, of course, our significant proportion of female branch managers and lenders are essential to delivering superior service on a daily basis to our members.

“I congratulate our team, who are responsible for a culture that values capability, integrity and inclusivity. Our combined commitment to a workplace where our people can connect and collaborate equally is a fantastic team effort,” Mr Ryan said.

“Our work doesn’t stop here,” Mr Ryan added. “We will continue to refine our workplace so that our team are able to access and enjoy the same rewards, resources, development and opportunities, regardless of gender.”