What is Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging?
CSIRO staff at Sydney Mardis Gras 2023
Diversity is the collective mixture of characteristics that exists amongst staff or the community in general. It can refer to function, experience, discipline, education, socio-economic background, marital status, personality profile, gender, age, language, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, religion, family responsibility or physical/mental impairment.
It is critical to the achievement of our business goals that we have a culture which respects, values and actively pursues the benefits of the diversity we have in CSIRO.
Staff have the right to a workplace that is free of inappropriate workplace behaviour. Inclusion & Belonging means more than ensuring equitable treatment of staff; it also directs that differences among people should be celebrated.
Care must be taken that personal prejudices against certain groups do not intrude into work practices and relationships. Discriminatory treatment or harassment in the workplace will not be tolerated.
Impact
The principles of DI&B that underpin fair and equitable human resource practices have an impact on our daily conduct and interactions with people in the workplace and involve having respect for an individual’s rights and dignity. CSIRO is also bound by law to provide a workplace that is free from all forms of discrimination and harassment.
Managers at all levels in the Organisation are responsible for the management of their staff and implementation of CSIRO’s policies and procedures in a fair and equitable manner. They are also accountable for ensuring appropriate legislative compliance. All staff are expected to behave appropriately in the workplace in accordance with CSIRO’s Code of Conduct, including DI&B values.
CSIRO is an equal opportunity employer.
Staff are appointed or promoted on their individual merits and capacity to perform, regardless of sex, age, sexual orientation, marital status, race, ethnic origin, religion or disabilities. We recognise the diversity that different people bring and value the contributions they make to their team and the whole organisation.
If you experience inappropriate workplace behaviour, you are encouraged to be proactive about improving the situation by talking to a trusted colleague.
In addition to HR, you can also contact CSIRO Equity and Diversity Contact Officers for help and advice, as well as the anonymous Employee Assistance Program (EAP). More information is available to staff on the myCSIRO intranet.
Initiatives
Indigenous engagement
CSIRO’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) outlines the actions we will take to build stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through scientific knowledge sharing, education, employment opportunities and mutually beneficial partnerships that can deliver a positive impact to all Australians.
Space and Astronomy have an Indigenous Engagement and Implementation committee, chaired by the deputy director, which provides support for and implements the S&A RAP implementation plan at a local level to improve engagement and partnerships with, and outcomes for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
These strategies aim to achieve greater Indigenous participation in CSIRO’s research and development agenda and activities.
Pleiades award
Space and Astronomy currently holds a Silver level Pleiades award. This award (administered by the IDEA chapter of the ASA) aims to recognise organisations that take active steps to improve the inclusiveness, diversity and equity in Australian astronomy.
Multi-faith and parenting rooms
Facilities are available within CSIRO for those wishing to make use of a prayer room/multi faith room during working hours or when required. Parenting rooms are also available at all CSIRO sites to provide nursing mothers and parents with privacy and space.
Diversity Council for Australia
As members of the Diversity Council for Australia, CSIRO has access to a wealth of best practice research and publications, along with the benefit of an exciting calendar of events providing the latest in diversity thinking.
S&A Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee
The S&A Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee is formed by volunteers who are passionate about fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion within S&A. The team perform an essential role in identifying the key challenges to creating an inclusive culture within S&A, and develop strategic and action-based approaches to addressing these challenges.
Established in 2014, the committee’s mission is:
To identify, implement, and monitor issues and initiatives around Diversity and Equity within S&A to ensure that all staff are treated fairly and equitably within our workplace regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, religion, family responsibility or physical/mental impairment.
For internal staff, more information on the current actions and contacts of the Diversity Committee can be found on on our Confluence page.
Our action plan
Our current Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging action plan is available below. Larger font size versions are available on request.
Who we are & points of contact
A diverse composition of the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee is essential to gain a thorough
understanding of each groups challenges and perspectives and thus be in the position to facilitate lasting
change in S&A
Composition of the committee includes staff with the following characteristics, professional and lived
experiences:
- Disability (including neurodivergence) or those caring for someone with a disability
- Professional, science and research staff (of various levels)
- A mix of gender, experiences and expressions. (40%/40%/20%)
- LGBTQIA+ identities and experiences
- A broad age range of staff – including those under 35 years of age
- Cultural and linguistic diversity which may include staff from a non-English speaking background and
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
For more information on the Space and Astronomy Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee please email the committee secretariat, Anego Liu (Anego.Liu@csiro.au), or the D&I Coordinator, Beth Cloake (Beth.Cloake@csiro.au)