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Creating an inclusive workplace where LGBTQIA+ people can be their authentic selves while pursuing a career in technology has led to Kinetic IT being recognised for the first time in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI).
Receiving Bronze Status, the AWEI recognition follows several years of grassroots, crew-led work that has evolved into an organisation-wide LGBTQIA+ Action Plan. The Action Plan focuses on progressing five key areas:
Established in 2010 by Pride in Diversity, AWEI is the definitive national benchmarking and evaluation tool used to measure LGBTQIA+ inclusion in workplaces and organisations. Pride in Diversity is the leading subject matter expert in LGBTQIA+ inclusive workplace policy, practice, and behaviours needed to achieve positive cultural change.
Chief Customer Officer Cassie Loder, executive sponsor of Kinetic IT’s LGBTQIA+ Action Plan, congratulated crew involved in achieving AWEI Bronze Status.
“I’m incredibly proud of our crew and organisation for the work being done to ensure LGBTQIA+ people are included and can thrive the tech profession. A huge thank you to members of our LGBTQIA+ Working Group, and to Pride in Diversity for this meaningful reassurance that we’re on the right path.
“We know from national data that LGBTQIA+ people face unique challenges in the workplace,” Cassie explained, “including fears of discrimination, societal stigma, and concerns about professional repercussions when bringing their authentic selves to work.
“Dismantling those barriers requires evidence-informed policies, meaningful allyship, accessible support structures, and leadership accountability. I’m proud, as an LGBTQIA+ person myself, of the culture we foster at Kinetic IT that truly breaks down these hurdles for LGBTQIA+ crew and allies alike.”
Kinetic IT Chief People Officer Lisa Keogh echoed Cassie’s reflections, and commended the crew involved.
That commitment took formal shape in 2023, when the Rainbow@KIT committee – Kinetic IT’s crew-led LGBTQIA+ affinity network – proposed a formal LGBTQIA+ Action Plan. The DEI Council endorsed it. And in July 2024, the LGBTQIA+ Working Group was established to bring it to life.
“This work is genuinely meaningful. We’ve seen LGBTQIA+ crew and allies connect deeply across the business to listen to the challenges faced by different people and their ideas on how to overcome them. This is the first horizon of the LGBTQIA+ Action Plan, we’ve got a lot more work to do as we build upon this fantastic foundation. My sincere thanks to the LGBTQIA+ Working Group and community within Kinetic IT for bringing your whole selves to work and championing for changes that make a real difference.”
The AWEI Foundation submission was assessed by Pride in Diversity and tested Kinetic IT across HR policy, bullying and harassment support, inclusion of trans and gender diverse employees, strategic focus, employee network effectiveness, and training.
Kinetic IT scored 65 out of 80, with full marks in LGBTQIA+ training availability and strong results across strategic focus and employee network categories.
Behind that score is a list of concrete deliverables:
For Lisa, the AWEI result is meaningful precisely because it is evidence-based.
“This recognition matters – inclusion is something you have to keep working at. AWEI gives us an honest view of where we stand and where we can do more. I’m proud of what our crew has built.”
Much of that building has been driven by crew, Senior Manager for Inclusion, Social Performance and Connection Courtney Bohan said:
“The crew network Rainbow@KIT and LGBTQIA+ Working Group have been central to this. The crew who show up for this work – advocating, connecting, and supporting their colleagues – are the reason we’re here. As someone also part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am deeply proud of the work we do – informed by lived experience insights from our crew and partners such as Pride in Diversity.”
Work is already underway on Kinetic IT’s next AWEI submission. The next horizon includes publication of gender affirmation policy and support procedures developed with input from those with lived experience, inclusive dress code guidelines, expanded bullying and harassment training that explicitly addresses LGBTQIA+ scenarios, and ongoing updates to parental leave and family and domestic violence support.
Progress is reported quarterly to Kinetic IT’s DEI Council, keeping accountability visible and continuous.
Learn more about living your best, real self with a career at Kinetic IT.
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