Log in or become a subscriber

An HR leader whose organisation has boosted its gender balance in traditionally male-dominated roles and significantly reduced its pay gap says a behavioural framework and self-awareness training was key to both individual and cultural change.

Wine and drinks company Australian Vintage, which employs more than 400 people, reduced its gender pay gap from 11.8% in 2021 to 3.9% in 2023, received two "most improved gender equity awards" at the Australian Drinks Association Awards, and closed its median base salary gap in 2023. Over 18 months in 2022 and 2023, it recorded a 19% increase in females moving into management roles, and 58% of those in its leadership development program are women.

The organisation's people and culture director Natasha Dale says the leaders in that program have been hand-picked, but there haven't been any gender-based quotas or targets to ensure a particular proportion are women...