Social inclusion

Our commitment to social inclusion

We aim to cultivate an inclusive workplace, based on fairness and equity, which fosters the unique skills and talent of our people. 

We undertake a range of activities to embed and progress a socially inclusive workplace including raising awareness and providing training programs in unconscious bias, equal employment opportunity, and anti-discrimination, bullying and harassment. We also use workforce reporting to track diversity participation.  

We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, bullying, vilification, occupational violence or victimisation on any grounds, whether by race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, religion, colour, national extraction, social origin, political opinion, family or carer’s responsibilities, or pregnancy.

This commitment is reinforced in our Code of Conduct and supported by a number of our policies including:

  • Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy: seeks to minimise the risk of bullying and discriminatory behaviour, and harassment in our workplaces
  • Workplace Behaviour Policy: sets out the requirements of workplace behaviour across the Group
  • Diversity & Social Inclusion Policy: outlines our commitment to diversity and inclusion
  • Flexible Working Policy: outlines how to request a flexible working arrangement
  • Parental Leave Policy: provides up to 16 weeks of primary carers leave and up to two weeks of partner leave
  • Family and Domestic Violence Policy: provides employees up to 10 days paid leave in a 12-month period to deal with the impact of family and domestic violence.
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Training, partnerships, events and raising awareness

We support social inclusion in many practical ways including with training, partnerships, and events to raise awareness.

Partnerships

Our operating companies seek to make a difference through partnerships with like-minded organisations that promote social inclusion. In addition to organisations supporting Indigenous participation priorities (detailed in Indigenous – First Nations), we have established partnerships with:

  • Career Seekers: Career Seekers provides a program to support humanitarian entrants into professional careers. The program provides support to both refugees and people seeking asylum who are currently studying at university or looking to restart their professional career in Australia.
  • City East Community College (CEC): is a not-for-profit adult learning organisation based in eastern Sydney, Australia. CEC promotes social inclusion, creates employment pathways and supports the integration of professionally skilled migrants and refugees into life and work in Australia.
  • Autism Spectrum Australia: In partnership with Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), UGL is leading the drive for inclusion by recruiting a neuro-diverse workforce.
  • Industry bodies: Partnerships with industry bodies such as GradAustralia, Engineers Australia, and the National Association of Women in Construction help us to support women to enter industry, build careers and be recognised for their contribution.
  • Social Traders: a leading non-profit Social Enterprise Procurement organisation which connects Certified Social Enterprises with business and government, supporting jobs, services and support for marginalized groups.

 

Training and other initiatives

Career development and training programs at our companies provide an essential pathway to support our social inclusion goals. Some examples are:

  • Ongoing training in Code of Conduct; Equal Employment Opportunity Anti-bullying and Harassment and Unconscious Bias; Indigenous cultural awareness. In 2021, 1,500 team members completed family and domestic violence awareness training
  • Emerging female leaders: Assisting women to build their careers through training and development with programs such as the Emerging Female Leaders Program at both UGL and CPB Contractors
  • Women in STEM: Initiatives to build pathways for more women to join the industry by supporting STEM initiatives with schools and universities, providing scholarships, learning events, and mentoring – such as the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Program with the University of Western Sydney
  • Creating internal networks which provide support and opportunities for women to share experiences, challenges and solutions, and access mentoring. These include Leighton Asia’s WOICE (Women in Construction and Engineering), Sedgman’s Lean In Circles, and Women@UGL.

 

Events and raising awareness

Across CIMIC, regular events and activities are held to raise awareness of various charities and not for profit organisations in support of social inclusion: