Experience

Since 1999, we have worked with a diverse range of clients, including organisations that have won awards for their workplace flexibility, diversity and gender equity initiatives. Projects conducted in the last two years are outlined here.

• Organisational change
• Learning and development
• Workplace investigations and mediations

Organisational Change

Aequus Partners' organisational change projects are founded on the conduct of qualitative and quantitative research. Recommendations to address issues identified by the research are presented to clients via reports and presentations. Where possible we maintain an on-going relationship with clients to assist with implementation of diversity or workplace flexibility initiatives.

	CSIRO To assist the CSIRO to develop a three year strategic diversity plan, we conducted a comprehensive national research project. The methodology comprised interviews, focus groups and literature research over a two-month period and the development of a comprehensive report for the Executive Management Council. The report drew together the views of a range of management and staff at CSIRO and provided key findings, strategy recommendations and actions for the future.
	Victorian Women Lawyers The overall aim of this project with the Victorian Women Lawyers was to identify common barriers to workplace flexibility across the legal profession, and develop solutions. The research methodology comprised interviews, focus groups and surveys from sixty respondents (namely clients, colleagues, support staff and partners of law firms using flexible work practices, as well as the lawyers themselves). The results were published in a report launched by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner.
	Freehills This project was designed to assist Freehills (a national corporate law firm) to identify and redress cultural and structural barriers to gender equity and workplace flexibility. An organisational analysis was conducted and the results presented to the leadership team for discussion and debate. The methodology comprised the conduct of interviews and focus groups as well as (re)analysis of existing survey data. The results (and potential solutions such as the development of metrics and accountabilities for partners) were presented to the leadership team. We also worked with a specific business unit to assist with a flexible work practices trial leading to potential organisational change. Following our work, Freehills was listed as a finalist in the 2007 ACCI/BCA National Work & Family Awards.
	EEONA The Equal Employment Opportunity Network of Australasia, (EEONA) provides EEO practitioners across Australia and New Zealand with an "Australasian" voice on diversity and equality issues. Aequus Partners have designed and administered the last three Australasian Diversity Equality Surveys (ADES) which examine the current state of diversity strategies, flexibility strategies and commitment to these issues across a broad range of Australasian organisations.
	Westpac Banking Corporation We have regularly provided Westpac Banking Corporation with assistance in the development of their reports to the (Federal Government's) Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA). In addition, we have conducted research to assist Westpac in the development of its diversity strategy. The research for the EOWA reports, and the diversity strategy, included quantitative data analysis, interviews and literature research. We are currently working with Westpac on a job-share pilot project and we have provided training and ongoing coaching to managers of job-sharers and the employees who are job-sharing to ensure their greatest opportunity for success.
	IBM Australia We conducted research for IBM on the current state of play regarding childcare in Australia, to assist IBM to identify the most cost effective option to support their employees in different Australian locations. This methodology comprised a literature review as well as interviews and data analysis of the cost and availability of care. Recommendations were made with an eye to likely Governmental developments.
	Alcoa Over the last ten years a range of organisational change and research projects have been carried out at Alcoa to improve and build on diversity and work/life balance. Broadly, the projects have involved developing strategies for diversity and gender equity through survey and data analysis. Following the research, training programmes have been developed and delivered to a range of employees, including senior women in the organisation. The current project is on a global scale, and looks specifically at the impact of global job functions on managers' lifestyle and opportunities.
	Caltex This project involved researching and communicating the key diversity issues at Caltex to the Leadership Team. Interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in the business and a workshop designed to build awareness, identify opportunities and risk, and stimulate discussion about diversity. A workshop was conducted with the Leadership Team which highlighted the key issues and allowed the participants to identify the needs and opportunities for their own business area and develop a draft action plan.
	ANZ The key focus in this project with ANZ was flexibility and had two aspects. The first involved conducting in-depth research of the current operation of flexibility in two parts of the business and then developing strategies to address the identified issues. The second involved designing, implementing, analysing and interpreting an organisation-wide flexibility survey, and then developing recommendations for an effective flexibility strategy, both for the entire organisation and for individual business units.
	Policy Development Aequus Partners have advised on policy development in the area of diversity, flexibility and OH&S for a range of clients, including Chevron and Origin Energy. These policies include: Working from home Bullying and harassment Equal Employment Opportunity
	Housing NSW We are currently working with Housing NSW on a research project designed to analyse the usage of, and barriers to, workplace flexibility in one of their four divisions. This project will utilise focus groups and survey research and will provide Housing NSW with options for action to enable greater use of flexibility.
	Boral We are currently working with Boral on their diversity strategy which has involved research with Human Resource managers across the business, analysis of demographic data and facilitating a one-day workshop on the state of play of diversity in the organisation. Recommendations for future action will be developed with the key stakeholders. CLICK here for client testimonials

Learning and development

	Pfizer Australia We have recently customised our online flexibility training programme, flex-e (premium) for Pfizer Australia to provide training and support for their People Managers in implementing flexibility. The programme incorporated Pfizer’s flexibility case studies, a message of support from their CEO, their policies and guidelines and some other changes were made to ensure the programme truly reflected the Pfizer brand and values. We presented at flexibility workshops for People Managers to introduce the programme and will provide updates and a quarterly flexibility newsletter to ensure currency the material.
	Department of Aging, Disability and Homecare (NSW) DADHC have recently launched an online management web portal, the Sage Centre, which provides information and tools for mature age workers and their managers in the NSW public sector. We have developed a learning programme for the Centre, the Flexibility Toolkit, which provides managers with learning and guidance on flexibility for mature age workers. The programme is interactive and contains case studies and best practice examples, as well as links to the sector policies and guidelines.
	IAG Following a large organisational change project (which began in 2004) we facilitated face-to-face training for all managers in IAG (Insurance Australia Group) to improve flexibility uptake and outcomes. The focus in the management training is on managing differently and is intended to challenge and change mindsets (ways of thinking about) and motivation (will) in relation to flexibility. The face-to-face training sessions leveraged the use of video case studies of employees and employers having typical conversations about working flexibly.
	Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) Two projects have been carried out for the Federal Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. A web-based information and learning portal was designed for the Retail Sector on flexible work practices, and a learning programme was developed for the Childcare Sector on implementing flexible work practices in childcare centres.
	Flexibility Works The Retail sector project involved analysis of industry needs and development of learning material which could be easily accessed via a web portal, Flexibility Works (www.flexibilityworks.dewr.gov.au).
	Flexibility Benefits The Childcare sector project included comprehensive industry research, programme development, piloting and producing a final workbook and trainer's guide, Flexibility Benefits. (www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Programmes/WorkFamily)
	Johnson and Johnson We are working with Johnson and Johnson on diversity and culture. Two training workshops have be delivered to employees and managers which are designed to raise awareness of the hidden barriers to equity and diversity using interactive training techniques. Following these workshops, we will facilitate the final component of this project which will immerse employees in an interactive experience to further develop diversity awareness and incorporate some learning on emotional intelligence.
	Macquarie Bank We conduct regular training programmes for managers at Macquarie Bank covering compliance issues related to Equal Employment Opportunity, Discrimination and Harassment and Occupational Health and Safety. The training sessions are interactive and provide information about legal compliance as well as opportunities for discussion and case studies.
	Mallesons Stephen Jaques We developed and implemented a communication strategy on flexible work practices for Mallesons Stephen Jaques (a national corporate law firm). Policies were reviewed, and presented via a nationwide roadshow to all employees. In addition, we recently conducted training for the EEO contact officers across the firm on their role and responsibilities as an EEO officer. CLICK here for client testimonials

Workplace investigations and mediations

Due to the sensitive and confidential nature of workplace investigations and mediation, clients are not detailed here. Suffice to say that we are the preferred provider for a number of Government agencies, we conduct direct access matters for private clients, and we conduct investigations/mediations on behalf of legal firms for their clients. Aequus Partners has a team of experienced and legally qualified investigators and accredited mediators and who have carried out this work for a range of clients across industries.

Feedback from our clients on our services includes:

(i) Organisational change advice:

"Over the last 6 years Westpac has used Aequ´us Partners to assist us in relation to strategy, research, reporting and advice. I find their services to be consistently of high quality, professional and flexible. They are responsive and updated in market trends and as a market leader we look to work with the best service providers."  Niki Kesoglou, Practice Leader, Diversity, Westpac

"ING's association with (Aequus Partners) began a few years ago and we have worked together on projects such as adopting more flexible work practices for our employees. I have found the team at Aequus Partners to be very professional, knowledgeable and pragmatic in terms of the solutions they delivered. The outcomes from these projects either met or exceeded our expectations."  Shenaz Khan, Head of Organisational Development, ING

"(Aequus Partner’s) preparation of the surveys, with input from the steering committee, was thorough. The surveys were well received by the focus group participants. (Aequus Partners) conducted the focus group sessions in a controlled, capable and professional manner: keeping people involved and interested and eliciting involvement and discussion on the issues."  Virginia Jay, Convenor, Victorian Women Lawyers

(ii) Learning & development:

"(Aequus Partners) has recently been appointed to help design and present Macquarie Bank's Appropriate Workplace Behaviour and Occupational Health & Safety Training for Managers. The audience ranges from new managers to our more senior Directors in the Bank. Juliet's approach is both professional and informative and we have received very encouraging feedback from our staff. I would not hesitate to recommend Juliet."  Sharon Ericsson, EEO Officer, Macquarie Bank

"We recently engaged Aequus Partners to develop and deliver interactive EEO and OHS training to our legal and non-legal staff. The feedback we received from the training participants was very positive. The presenters demonstrated a high level of knowledge, the ability to communicate effectively at different levels and facilitate thoughtful discussion. Aequus Partners also evaluated the impact of the training on participants' ability to identify, and confidence in addressing, unlawful conduct. The survey design and analysis was of the highest quality and helped us to make informed decisions about future action. We have no hesitation in recommending Aequus Partners in terms of their capability to deliver excellent workplace research and EEO/OHS training."  Stephanie Abbott, Manager, Knowledge, Learning and Development; and Petra Stirling, HR Manager, Gilbert+Tobin Lawyers

(iii) Investigation and mediation of workplace conflicts:

"I am happy to recommend the services of Aequus Partners. Aequus Partners was asked to investigate a complaint of harassment and to prepare a report for use by the Board of Directors of the affected business. The investigation was very thorough and was conducted at all times in an impartial, fair and professional manner. The subsequent report was delivered in a timely fashion. The report was very comprehensive but at the same time easy to use and understand because of its logical pattern and use of handy summaries. The Board was able to arrive at a clear understanding of the relevant events and what its response to those events should be."  David Cross, Partner, Allens Arthur Robinson

"The quality of Aequ´us Partners' investigation services has given me a high level of comfort when advising clients on any potential litigation arising from a workplace complaint. Their process is fair, prompt and helps solve problems as well as providing good legal risk management."  Kate Jenkins, Partner, Freehills