• Sponsor of the EOWA Award for the Leading Organisation for the Advancement of Women (more than 500 employees);
• Winner of EOWA’s Employer of Choice for Women citation 2001 and 2002; and
• Winner of the CCI National Work and Family Awards 2001 Gold Award: Highest Overall Performance.

For two consecutive years, Alcoa World Alumina Australia has been named as a winner of an EOWA Employer of Choice for Women citation. Alcoa’s exemplary policies and practices were again recognised when the company was announced as the winner of the 2001 ACCI National Work and Family Large Business Award category – one of six awards to recognise organisations taking the initiative in providing a more family-friendly work environment for their employees.

Against all other category winners, Alcoa then went on to be selected the winner of the highlight of the event - the prestigious ACCI National Work and Family Gold Award for 2001 - awarded for overall outstanding achievement in addressing the work/life needs of employees.

The Gold Award recognised Alcoa’s “outstanding commitment to the introduction, implementation, promotion and ongoing evaluation and revision of work and life policies and practices to meet the work/life needs of employees and the performance of the business”.

In accepting the Gold Award, Alcoa’s Managing Director spoke of Alcoa’s long term commitment to family friendly practices. “We’re obviously delighted to have achieved this recognition - Alcoa aspires to be the best company in the world. One part of that giant jigsaw involves having one of the best work and family policies in Australia, and to be able to show that we have. Not just having a policy, but applying it and showing that it works.”

“One of our core values is to relentlessly pursue excellence in everything we do, every day. We’ve been working on our work and family policies for the past decade, and will continue to work on them.”

The ACCI Awards:
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) National Work and Family Awards is an annual event that recognises best practice in family friendly workplaces. They are open to any workplace, whether large or small, progressed or just starting, public or private sector that is committed to helping employees balance their work and personal lives.

The Official Commendation
Winner for Large Business Category : Alcoa World Alumina Australia:

Alcoa is the world’s biggest producer of alumina and operates two mines and three refineries in Western Australia, and is a major producer of aluminium from its two Victorian smelters with a workforce consisting of 5,320 employees (485 women and 4,835 men).

Alcoa’s 1995 Work and Family Policy recognised that each Alcoa work location had specific issues requiring a flexible response. Since that time, Alcoa has implemented the policy at all work levels through Work and Family Teams, made up of a cross section of employees. Initiatives include:

• Flexible work options including part-time, job-share and work from home;
• Flexible start and finish times;
• Paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave;
• Remote on site childcare facilities;
• "Your Work and Your Family’ policy guide;
• Assistance with identifying dependent care facilities; and
• Emergency day care places.

In additional Alcoa won a High Commendation in the Single Innovative Initiative Category for the Mandurah Family Fun Day.

Alcoa sponsors and co-ordinates the Mandurah Family Fun Day, undertaken as part of its commitment to community leadership. This regional Family Week initiative has evolved into a leading event with meaningful and tangible outcomes for all participants and provides information on building successful family relationships, better communication and self-esteem. The theme for 2001 was ‘Time to Talk for Families’.

Judges Comments
Against a backdrop of global competition, and in a tough, male-dominated industry Alcoa has successfully implemented a strong and dramatic cultural change company wide. Internal commitment is matched with a focus on promoting the value of work and family balance to other corporate leaders. Employees were unanimous in stating that Alcoa’s policies had altered their view of the company in a direct and positive way. They felt able to raise issues with team leaders or union representatives, and were confident that solutions would be found. Alcoa demonstrated an unequivocal commitment to the work/life balance of their employees with positive outcomes for employees and the business.

Alcoa Contact
David Willett
General Manager Human Resources
PO Box 252
Applecross WA 6153
Phone: (08) 9316 5611
Fax: (08) 9316 5343
Email: david.willett@alcoa.com.au

Alcoa website
www.alcoa.com.au