FB Rice and gender balance

This gave us an opportunity to discuss the issues which women face in today’s workplaces. There was a general consensus and support in favour of the following themes presented by organisers of International Women’s Day.

“Balance is not a women's issue, it's a business issue. The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, a gender-balance of employees, more gender-balance in wealth, gender-balanced sports coverage” - IWD

At FB Rice we are supportive and actively working towards gender balance across the board. Gender balance isn’t just about achieving a balance at the leadership level, but also how we develop and support women to reach their full potential both at home and in the workplace; how we support and develop women for their particular journey and that we can’t approach the conversation as a ‘one size fits all’.

Our firm’s culture allows for flexible working arrangements, promotes the importance of mentoring and industry involvement and sets examples, looking to encourage more women to step up to leadership positions or senior roles.

A company’s culture relies on actively breaking down stereotypes which limit people’s perceptions of their own potential. We as an organisation make room for choices and discussions based on an individual’s personal circumstances and ambitions.

Here's what some of our people have to say about gender balance - what it means to them, and their experience of this at FB Rice.

Fitted for Work Charity

As part of IWD, this year we will be supporting the Fitted for Work charity. The first of its kind in Australia, Fitted for Work is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping women experiencing disadvantage to regain their confidence and to secure and maintain employment. Women from varied backgrounds (for example women who may be older; survivors of domestic violence; single mothers; women who are experiencing homelessness; who are recently released from prison; who are transgender or gender diverse; a newly arrived migrant or refugee woman, or with a disability).

Fitted for Work deliver a suite of tailored pre- and post-employment services, including personal outfitting, resume assistance, interview preparation, mock interview practice and mentor placements. They have helped over 30,000 women since 2005. Fitted for Work provide women with clothing to wear to job interviews and are therefore in need of clothing donations. Throughout the week we have been collecting both financial and clothing donations from our staff, with financial donations to be matched by FB Rice.