2007 Annual Report (708k pdf) - Equal Employment Opportunities ...

Philippa ReedThe 2006-2007 year was marked by the production of two key toolsfor employers - a DVD profiling five leading workplaces whicheffectively maximise the talents of their diverse workforces and apublication to assist employers to ensure Mäori people can reachtheir potential at work.We worked closely with EEO Employers Group members onthe development of both these resources to make sure theyprovided the information and inspiration employers need to makecreative use of the energies and talents people from very differentbackgrounds and cultures can bring to work.The Diversity in the Workplace DVD was launched in August 2006.Highlights were made available through our website and by June2007 more than 750 individuals had actively requested the DVDfor their own workplaces or to support their work with employers.For example, the Ministry of Social Development uses the DVD inits work with employers to alert them to the benefits of taking acreative and flexible approach to recruitment and retention.Making a difference: Why and how to employ and work effectivelywith Māori, an updated version of an earlier publication, waslaunched in September 2006. It draws on the expertise of DrManuka Henare and Chellie Spiller of the University of Auckland,as well as business leader, Dr Rodger Spiller. It presents thebusiness case for recruiting, retaining and developing Mäori, alongwith practical strategies to tap into their potential. By June 2007the publication had been requested by 1500 people and a reprintwas pending.These and other EEO Trust resources are successful largelybecause they are developed on the basis of strong relationshipswith employers and substantial and on-going research into theneeds of employers and employees.The 2007 year was dominated by preparations for the EEO TrustWork & Life Awards 10th anniversary celebrations which includeda symposium, The Diversity Effect, during the day preceding theawards presentation dinner. The EEO Trust Work & Life Awards2007 received a record number of entries, particularly for anew Diversity Award, and the influential speakers engaged topresent at The Diversity Effect generated high levels of interest andsponsorship support. The success of these two events indicateshigh awareness of the importance of diversity issues in meetingNew Zealand’s employment challenges.Support for work-life balance is a critical part of encouragingworkforce diversity as it enables people to meet theircommitments at work as well as pursuing their personal interestswhether they relate to family, study, sport or other life choices. In2006 we surveyed employers’ approaches to work-life balance,Equal Employment Opportunities Trust Annual Report 20075