TAL recognised for ongoing commitment to gender equality

Life insurer TAL has been named an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Commonwealth Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) for the ninth consecutive year.

The WGEA awards the citation to organisations meeting rigorous standards in workplace gender equality, including demonstrating an active commitment to best practice and leadership.

Brett Clark, group CEO and managing director at TAL and WGEA Pay Equity Ambassador, said the WGEA citation reflects the company's diverse and inclusive culture, where “people are valued for who they are.”

“Driving and embedding gender equality as part of our broader diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I) strategy helps ensure all our people are treated equally, can perform their roles to the best of their ability, and have the opportunity for personal growth and development,” Clark said.

What makes TAL the Employer of Choice for Gender Equality?

The WGEA recognises TAL's commitment to enhancing gender equality through the following initiatives:

• Commitment to pay equity and eliminating the gender pay gap – undertaking a quarterly pay gap analysis, sitting at 98.6% gender pay equity as of December 2022;
• Actively working to achieve the company's target of 40% men, 40% women, and 20% people of any gender in senior leadership roles by 2025. As of January 2023, 39% of leadership roles are filled by women;
• Equal employment policies and workplace inclusion training for all TAL employees;
• Providing flexible working options for all TAL employees;
• Continued focus on gender equality through an active Gender Committee;
• Offering domestic violence leave and support for all TAL employees;
• Parental leave benefits and support for all TAL employees, regardless of gender, including zero tenure requirements to access parental leave, continued paid superannuation for the first 12 months of parental leave, staff group insurance coverage for up to 104 weeks, and guaranteed flexible working options for the first six months after returning to work; and
• Continuing the TAL Female Leaders Sponsorship Program, which provides participants with tools to build and strengthen relationships with TAL leaders and support their personal development.

Other ways TAL helps financial services professionals

Aside from helping its employees, TAL helps financial services professionals – including financial advisers – by providing an educational program.

In February 2023, TAL announced the 2023 course program for TAL Risk Academy, the insurer's adviser education platform. The 2023 program introduces 20 new courses, totalling over 110 on-demand courses on the adviser education platform.