Gender diversity starts with culture says IHG
It’s a corporate Australia-wide issue that representation of women in leadership is far exceeded by male counterparts.
While the hospitality industry is not immune from the challenge, IHG has announced it is investing in company culture to build a more sustainable model for gender diversity into the future.
COO Australasia & Japan, Karin Sheppard – the most senior authority in the region and a product of IHG’s global opportunities having held senior roles in the Middle East, Asia and Europe – acknowledges the gender gap in management level, particularly hotel general managers.
“This is an industry-wide challenge; to create a more diverse workplace and encourage more females into general manager roles. It can be difficult to balance commercial realities with contemporary life – women often take time out from their career for family responsibilities, but it is the responsibility of employers to adapt and create an environment and culture that acknowledges these considerations.”
IHG have implemented 6 weeks paid leave after two years employment, which is increased to 12 weeks as tenure grows and is valid across 80% of its hotels and at corporate office level. As a result, the company said around 95% of female employees return to IHG after their parental leave.
“There is an even gender representation on the AMEA* Regional Operating Committee which Australia and New Zealand forms part of, with similar levels in my local leadership teams. This year we had a very encouraging 70% intake of women in our Future Leaders program (pictured) which identifies high potential talent – all of which have expressed a desire to become General Managers in the future.”
The 2015 Workplace Gender Equality report indicated that IHG’s gender pay gap is lower than both organisations of the same size and the accommodation/food service sector overall.
Despite the progress Sheppard believes there is more to be done:
“As we mark International Women’s Day it is important to celebrate some of the significant progress made to date. Our aspiration is to create a culture that embraces diversity at all levels of the organisation and we remain committed to achieving this.”
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