KellyOCG Australia: Introducing our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan

Inclusion and diversity are an essential part of what we do and who we are at KellyOCG. It’s the diverse mix of voices and experiences that our people, suppliers, and customers bring to the table that allows us to be creative, bold, and lead the way in workforce outsourcing and consulting. In Australia, we have been working with clients across the country to champion and support their own Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs), as well as partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses to access opportunities within the workplace. However, it’s vital that we ‘walk the talk’ and continue to take bigger steps to tackle inequality. Our own Reflect RAP pathway gives us a tangible framework to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and remove barriers to work.

Australia’s First Peoples still face unacceptable challenges in access to work, education, healthcare, and social support. They are also more likely to face prejudice. A report from Reconciliation Australia found that 52% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have experienced at least one form of racial prejudice in the past 6 months, and the workplace itself can present huge barriers to success. Diversity Council Australia found that 30% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers reported non-inclusive organisational climates, and 19% did not trust their organisation to treat them fairly.

Our noble purpose is to connect people to work in ways that enrich their lives – and this means all people. We must be an advocate for every worker while respecting their unique experience and culture. To achieve this, we have to hold up a mirror to ourselves and continually ask, ‘How can we do better?’ I believe that we have a huge amount to learn from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we hope to engage, and it’s a real privilege to be involved in this mission.

It was important to us to build a RAP that delivered much more than great soundbites or provided content for a post on social media – it had to have teeth, and it had to deliver real change. We thank the team at Reconciliation Australia for their important work, guidance and support in helping us to shape our RAP. It’s focus areas are: Relationships, Respect, Opportunities, and Governance. From building an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to increasing representation inside our business and reaffirming our commitment to reconciliation, this framework outlines measurable, timely actions all assigned to individuals within our organisation. We’re also increasing our partnerships with First Peoples’ owned businesses and our engagement in reconciliation and educational events.

I’d encourage you to check out our Reflect RAP in full to find out more about the ways we plan to drive lasting change and to experience the incredible artwork of Gamilaroi artist, Jodie Freeman. Her beautiful work now hangs with pride in our Sydney office, and we are incredibly grateful for her contribution to this project. I also want to express my thanks to the team at Reconciliation Australia; their expert insight and guidance have been vital in giving us the confidence to deliver this project successfully.

Finally, I’d like to encourage others – including our customers and suppliers – to join us in this ongoing journey. The more people and businesses that lend their weight and support to this initiative, the faster we can accelerate positive change. If you have any questions about our RAP or want to find out how you can get involved, please drop me a line.

Kelly Outsourcing and Consulting Group Australia acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live and work, as Australia’s First Peoples and their continuing connection to Country, sea and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures and to their Elders past and present and emerging.