Category: Latest Insights From Symmetra

Organisational Change is the BEST time to invest in Inclusive Leadership

Often, when an organisation goes through significant change, it is extremely disruptive to DEI efforts, particularly work aimed at developing inclusive leadership and teams. There are often seemingly good reasons for this – people are very worried about their future and may not be interested in development; leadership is preoccupied with financial outcomes and strategic …

Read More

Breaking Glass Ceilings: Stories of Women Leading the Way in the Workplace

At the heart of every successful organisation lies a diverse and inclusive workforce, where individuals from all walks of life come together to harness their unique perspectives, experiences, and talents. In recent decades, the global workforce has seen a significant shift towards investing in women and promoting gender equality, and it is not without reason. …

Read More

Sexual Harassment Law in Australia: A Brief History, The New Positive Duty and AHRC Enforcement Guidelines

The term “sexual harassment” was brought to light by journalist and feminist Lin Farley in 1975 during a hearing of the New York Human Rights Commission. As public awareness grew, laws prohibiting sexual harassment were passed in different jurisdictions, including Australia, culminating in the federal Sex Discrimination Act in 1984. Companies proceeded to institute compulsory …

Read More

Australia Deserves a YES Vote on 14 October

Australians face a momentous choice on 14 October-one which could set the tone of inter-communal relations for decades to come. Symmetra urges Australians to vote affirmatively to establish a constitutionally recognized voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Our reasons for this firm position are because The Voice will: Give Indigenous people a direct …

Read More

Trust in Government and Business has corroded alarmingly- what can be done?

Trust: “Our willingness to be vulnerable to the actions of others because we believe that they have good intentions and will behave well towards us” Most Australians would have been dismayed in recent weeks by the exposure of a range of diverse instances of breaches of trust:  the Senate inquiry into PwC finds breaches of …

Read More

Financial inclusion: “We have a challenge, yet we also have a solution: India’s UPI” says Dr. Bijna Kotak Dasani MBE FRSA

Dr. Bijna Kotak Dasani MBE FRSA For many, being able to have access to a transaction account can be that vital first step toward broader  financial inclusion as it allows people to store money, and send and receive payments. The latest figures  from The Global Findex Database 2021 show that although 71% of people in …

Read More

Discrimination in employment: AI changes the Landscape

Symmetra wrote very recently about the profound impact which the implementation of AI tools in various aspects of employment will have on issues of discrimination [link here] but since then the landscape in this area has changed significantly. The US National Artificial Intelligence Act defines AI as “machine-based system that can, for a given set …

Read More

Dr. Bìjna Kotak Dasanì MBE, FRSA Operating Partner, Symmetra praised for her professional journey & impact by HRH Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace

Dr. Bijna a distinguished former Banker turned Venture Capitalist and Entrepreneur is a highly respected figure for her efforts in leading diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) across the financial services industry. She was appointed Member of The Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire (MBE) by Her Royal Highness Princess Royal, Princess Anne, at a …

Read More

Sydney Embraces People with Disabilities

Sydney—take a bow! The Valuable 500 has just voted our city the 9th most accessible in the world for people with disabilities. Valuable 500 is an association formed at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Davos in 2019 to which 500 of the world’s most influential CEOs belong and whose objective is to unlock the potential …

Read More