The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), a national financial ombudsman service that employs around 1,200 people, has been recognised as the best place to work in the government, education, not-for-profit, and utilities sectors by the 2024 Australian financial Review (AFR) BOSS Best Places to Work rankings.
The list identifies organisations that are spearheading new ways of working and going beyond the limits when it comes to workplace initiatives.
It is based on an assessment managed by behavioural science consultancy Inventium. The Workplaces of the Future framework evaluates 10 key factors crucial for employee motivation and engagement, including a staff survey and a written submission detailing AFCA’s employee-focused policies and programs.
The 2024 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work rankings revealed that 91% of employees considered AFCA a “great place to work,” 93% felt AFCA was committed to their wellbeing, and 86% felt they could be themselves at work.
Chief ombudsman and CEO David Locke (pictured) praised the organisation’s staff and its culture, saying that AFCA is dedicated to building an inclusive and empowering workplace.
“I’m really proud of our exceptional people and the special culture we continue to build at AFCA,” he said. “We want to ensure that every person who works at AFCA feels able to bring their whole selves – their best selves – to the important and impactful work they do helping consumers and financial firms resolve disputes.
“We want a culture where everyone feels valued and supported, and we continued to invest in that last year with initiatives like our new diversity, inclusion, and belonging strategy and significant enhancements to leave entitlements.”
Recent developments at AFCA – which was also among the top five best places to work in Australia last year – include the introduction of a three-year Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Strategy, as well as enhancements to leave policies, such as flexible public holiday leave, Women’s+ Health Leave, and standardising access to long service leave at seven years for its NSW and Victoria locations.
The organisation also offers a variety of other leave options, including five days for Sorry Business and 15 days of personal leave.
AFCA has established five Employee Resource Groups to nurture a sense of community, particularly for those with disabilities, diverse cultural backgrounds, LGBTQ+ members, women, and those with family or carer responsibilities.
