Helping its people find their eQuilibrium

Our Australian firm is supporting its people through all stages of life as they build a career at PwC. Launched in 2004, the firm’s eQuilibrium programme is a series of policies and initiatives aimed at helping people build a rewarding career, while acknowledging there is a need to balance work and life responsibilities.

While eQuilibrium offers something for everyone, one of the focus areas of the programme is on women. It includes initiatives to help women move into leadership positions, be successful in these positions, and manage family care responsibilities, including:

• Regular forums where, for example, senior women leaders in the firm discuss their experiences in advancing to leadership and share tips for achieving success. In 2008 the Australian firm is holding leadership summits in Sydney and Melbourne for all female partners and directors.
• Mentoring circles for women, which bring groups of peers together with an external facilitator to support them to find pathways to success, promotion and satisfaction in their leadership careers at PwC.
• My Mentor, a self study programme enabling people to build resilience and positive impact as they progress in their careers.
• Tools and information relating to different types of flexible working arrangements.
• Purchase of additional annual leave to enable people to take extra time off, for example, to spend time with their family.
• A 24-hour a day free helpline and online service for the latest information on the availability of the different types of child, elder and dependant care services anywhere in Australia.
• Fun family events to encourage interaction between the Australian firm, its employees and their families.
• Quarterly ‘Connections Lunches’ for new parents and intending parents, giving them an opportunity to network and share experience about juggling work and family.
• Special carer rooms in offices around the country where parents can tend to the needs of their children while visiting the office.