STAR TAKES INCLUSIVE APPROACH
A NEW report has ranked The Star Entertainment Group as one of the most diverse and inclusive workforces in the world – but the Gold Coast wants to do better.
The Refinitiv 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Index placed the company, which owns The Star Gold Coast, second in Australia behind Woolworths, and 25th internationally.
The Star Gold Coast COO Jess Mellor said by 2023, the company wanted to have an equal number of male and female heads and a portion of gender fluid leaders, too.
“We have a companywide goal to achieve 45 per cent female leaders by 2023,” Ms Mellor said.
“At the moment in Queensland, we are at 37 per cent, and proactively focusing on the goal. “We also aim to have 45 per cent male leaders by 2023, and 10 per cent for any gender identity including non-binary gender identities.”
The company has been working towards its goals of a employing a representative workforce, an initiative first introduced six years ago.
To deliver more female leaders, Ms Mellor said the company offered a range of initiatives including mentoring opportunities, flexible work practices, an annual gender pay gap analysis and networking forums such as its annual Walk & Talk for Women in Leadership event.
“In 2014, The Star launched a diversity and inclusion program across four key areas: gender, multicultural, LGBTQI and age,” Ms Mellor said.
“On the Gold Coast alone, we employ more than 2800 people, including at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, which we manage on behalf of the Queensland Government.
“The Star is also a founding member of Women in Gaming and Hospitality Australasia, which is the only industry body in Australasia dedicated to empowering women in the gaming and hospitality industries.”
The Star Gold Coast is a partner of the Harvey Norman Women of The Year campaign, a Bulletin-led initiative recognising women making a difference in the community. Nominations are now open to find inspiring and innovative women making the Gold Coast a better place. To nominate visit womenoftheyear.com.au