Creating Cultural Change to Empower Women
International Women’s Day 2022 #breakthebias
Women have played a significant role in this non-profit organisation since it was founded in 1893 by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd to support disadvantaged women and girls. Today our Purpose includes people working with a disability, migrants and refugees, and people marginalised from mainstream employment.
Blueline Laundry is committed to supporting women to overcome barriers to employment and the daily challenges of workplace. Last year International Women’s Day marked the start of a program to supply free female sanitary products along with other enhanced staff hygiene amenities.
This year, International Women’s Day 2022 marks the start of the “Supporting Women to Succeed” project to create the workplace culture where women feel safe, confident and capable to apply for non-traditional fields of employment and leadership roles.
The uniquely diverse workforce at Blueline Laundry is 51% female, including 19 different nationalities speaking multiple languages, women with a disability, and those who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma.
CEO Michael Sylvester says, “This representation is a healthy balance and a fitting achievement for our business, and we are working towards ensuring that gender balance is achieved across all role types, including those that are traditionally male dominated. Our aspiration is to empower women to fully participate in any and all aspects of the laundry operations.”
Blueline Laundry has been selected as a recipient for the “Supporting Women to Succeed” Grant from the Department of Communities Tasmania. The grant will support a company-wide training course to enhance Blueline’s journey toward creating an inclusive and diverse workplace that empowers women to fully participate in all employment opportunities.
The training course will be provided by woman-lead training facilitator “Respect at Work” and the targeted outcomes of will be to:
Increase gender and cultural respect amongst all employees
Increase gender diversity and representation in all areas of the laundry operations
Open pathways to non-traditional and leadership roles for women
The course includes all Blueline employees in both Hobart and Launceston because every employee contributes to the workplace culture and everyone has the potential to facilitate positive change.
The whole community benefits when women are empowered to build resilience, to overcome their vulnerabilities and succeed in employment and in life.
Blueline’s CEO Michael Sylvester announced the program with Roz Taylor from respectatwork.com.au