Meet Rosemary Dimer

“I am a Wongkutha woman from the Goldfields region of Western Australia.
I commenced working at Sodexo as a Kitchen Hand and Dining Room Attendant. I have always been passionate about Safety, and after graduating with a Certificate IV in Safety and Health, I now work full time as Sodexo’s first Aboriginal HSEQ Advisor.”
 

Many clients in remote settings are operating on land that is owned by Indigenous communities. At Sodexo, we are guided by the overarching objectives of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which outlines practical actions the organisation undertakes to build strong relationships, respect and opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Sodexo’s RAP is built on the principles of equality and self-determination which underpin the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Our commitment to reconciliation is driven by meaningful partnerships with Indigenous employees and individuals for mutually beneficial outcomes.

The Sodexo Indigenous Assessment Panel meets regularly to assess individual Indigenous job applicants who do not meet initial entry requirements. The Panel offers a six-week exercise, nutrition and wellbeing program to Indigenous applicants who do not meet health and fitness requirements and offers a second chance at employment upon successful completion of the program. The program is at no cost to participants and is delivered by a qualified and accredited exercise professional, with the support of a Registered Nurse, Dietitian and Physiotherapist.

Sodexo also offers cross-cultural training to ensure Executive and Management Teams are proactive contributors to the priorities of Sodexo’s RAP and to enhance our employees’ respect for cultural diversity.

These opportunities for local and Aboriginal communities, mean employees can stay in their communities while maintaining meaningful employment. Sodexo’s Indigenous employment has grown from 40 in 2010 to 280 at the beginning of 2013.