Australian Catholic organisations as employers of choice

The dignity of work and the dignity of the worker.

Yesterday’s reflection asked if Australian Catholic organisations were practising Catholic Social Teachings (CST), particularly those relating to the dignity of work and the worker’s dignity, particularly concerning women in the care sector.

The report “Our Work Matters – Catholic Church employers and employees in Australia” does not answer this question. The final paragraph of the report states,

“Finally, it is to be hoped that the release of this report will provide an opportunity for all Catholic Church employees in Australia to review their own employment practices with a view to ensuring that not only are they in accord with best practice in relation to Australia’s workplace laws, but that they also reflect the Church’s social teaching on work, namely, that the workplace should be a place where people have ‘a chance to develop their qualities and personalities in the exercise of their professions’ and where they receive ‘equitable remuneration which will enable them and their families to lead a worth life on the material, social, cultural and spiritual level.”

Dixon et al. 2017.

This calls for a serious inquiry into if and how Australian Catholic organisations reflect CST in their workplaces.

We can start this serious inquiry by identifying if Australian Catholic organisations are employers of choice, as determined by the various awards in Australia.

The Best Places to Work, by the Australian Financial Review, is one of them. In 2022, under the Government, Education, and Not For Profit category, no Catholic organisation made it to the top 10. However, Baptcare came in at #8, and BaptistCare NSW & ACT came in at #10.

In 2021, in the same category, no Catholic organisation made it to the top 10, but Korowa Anglican Girls School came in at #4.

Another award is the Employer of Choice Award by the Australian Business Awards. The citation for the award is similar to CST.

The Australian Business Award for Employer of Choice [EOC®] recognises organisations that develop leading workplaces that maximise the full potential of their workforce through established policies and practices that demonstrate effective employee recruitment, engagement and retention.

ABA Employer of Choice Award.

This award which started in 2014, has seen several Catholic organisations recognised as Employers of Choice. Mercy Care was recognised in 2015, Caroline Chisolm Catholic College received it in 2018, and the Australian Catholic Superannuation has received this award since 2019.

It is a relief that of the more than 3,000 Australian Catholic organisations, several are recognised as Employers of Choice.

SEE

Why are not all Australian Catholic organisations recognised as Employers of Choice?

Why do 220,000 or more people work in Catholic organisations?

JUDGE

How can we judge these organisations?

ACT

What can I do today to learn more about Australia’s Catholic organisations?