The chemistry of success: How Diversity & Inclusion fuels innovation at BASF Australia

BASF Australia is very proud to take home the inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Award at the prestigious Chemistry Australia Industry Awards Night. This recognition validates BASF's unwavering commitment to cultivating a workplace that celebrates and empowers its diverse workforce.

Beyond Tokenism: A structured approach to DEI

This dedication to DEI isn't merely performative. In fact, BASF actively champions this initiative through a well-structured framework. The Women in Business working group, a cornerstone program under the broader Diversity and Inclusion Council, spearheads several key efforts:

•  Fostering inclusive leadership: Valuing diverse perspectives is a core tenet at BASF. The Women in Business group actively dismantles barriers and promotes inclusive leadership practices throughout the organization. This ensures a level playing field for talent development and advancement, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
• Data-driven approach to gender balance: Recognising the importance of a workforce that reflects the broader community, BASF has set clear and measurable goals for increasing the number of women in leadership roles. Backed by data-driven strategies, the results are clear: the number of women leaders has grown significantly, reaching overall representation of 35%, up from 24% in 2017, and 32.5% in 2022.
• Closing the gender pay gap: Striving for equal pay for equal work, BASF has implemented targeted proposals to address the gender pay gap. This includes reviewing and redesigning roles to ensure equal compensation for comparable positions. Additionally, BASF has expanded its hiring practices to attract a wider pool of qualified female candidates, further enriching the talent pipeline.

A Commitment Beyond Gender

BASF's DEI focus extends far beyond gender. It is dedicated to creating a truly inclusive environment that accepts all employees, regardless of background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or ability. This is demonstrated in several ways:

• Reconciliation with First Nations peoples: BASF acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land and actively works on reconciliation efforts. This includes building stronger relationships with First Nations communities and encouraging a culture of understanding and respect.
• Celebrating LGBTQI+ inclusion: BASF celebrates diversity in all its forms and actively supports the LGBTQI+ community within the workplace. The creation of safe spaces for employees to express themselves authentically and undertake a culture of acceptance and inclusion where everyone feels valued and respected are some of the key initiatives that have taken place.
• Prioritising mental health and well-being: Understanding the importance of a healthy and balanced workforce, BASF prioritises mental health awareness. BASF provides access to mental health resources, promotes healthy work-life balance practices, and enables open communication where employees feel comfortable seeking help when needed.

A Continuous Journey: Building on Success

Winning the DEI Award is a significant milestone for BASF Australia. It serves as a powerful validation of the organisation’s aligned values and principles of DEI. Despite the acknowledgement and recognition of its DEI efforts to date, BASF continues to grow on this ongoing journey. Commitment to DEI remains a priority to ensure the workplace is where all employees can thrive and contribute their unique talents to a more equitable future.

Upholding and embracing DEI is not just the right thing to do, it's also a smart business decision. BASF encourages the contribution of various perspectives, ideas, and experiences, leading to greater innovation, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities. This, in turn, fuels the organisation's long-term success resulting in a positive ripple effect throughout the broader chemical industry and Australian economy.

For more details on other Chemistry Award winners