The iconic brand celebrates 'Everyday Moments of Goodness' among staff
Popular Kiwi breadmaker George Weston Foods has been awarded as diversity champions for celebrating ‘Everyday Moments of Goodness’ throughout the pandemic.
One of Australia and New Zealand’s largest food manufacturers, GWF employs 6,000 people across 40 sites and as an essential service, has continued to operate throughout level 3 and 4 lockdowns. The company scooped the Supreme Award at the 2021 Diversity Awards NZ, and was heralded for bringing its inclusive values to life.
Read more: Australian drinks giant Lion raises a glass to equal paid parental leave
Diversity Awards NZ CEO Maretha Smit said GWF is an organisation where being human and real is the lived reality across the whole workforce.
“It is a place with a fantastic diversity and inclusion strategy that does not remain on paper – they have a multitude of inclusion champions driving that strategy and the energy of the organisation is welcoming to all,” she said.
“It’s significant that we are presenting this award in a time when we are living with Covid-19 restrictions. The George Weston team are essential workers who, every day, have put themselves at risk to ensure our supermarkets are stocked and our families fed. Having an inclusive culture is key to an organisation being able to thrive through challenging times.”
GWF fosters an inclusive team environment through a range of education and initiatives. Inclusive workplace practices are offered to all regardless of role, from senior managers through to those on the factory floor. But the company’s commitment to a caring culture goes beyond its own workforce. GWF also gives back to the community through a volunteering programme and partnerships with organisations such as KidsCan, which see more than 100,000 loaves of bread provided to schools each year.
Read more: Frucor Suntory's male employees snap up equal paid parental leave scheme
The company also took the Inclusive Workplace Award for medium to large organisations. This year’s full list of winners included the likes of New Zealand Steel, Hutt Gas and Plumbing, Warren and Mahoney, and Downer New Zealand.
“We wanted to celebrate the incredible commitment our finalists and winners have made to creating cultures of inclusion and more equitable workplaces across Aotearoa New Zealand while following the Covid restrictions in place across the country,” Smit said.
