At Blackwoods we are continuously striving to deliver a great customer experience. To do that, we know we need to provide a great place to work for our people. We know that our people are the key to our success, and we are committed to recruiting and developing the most talented team members.
Blackwoods is part of the wholly Australian owned Wesfarmers Group - an ASX listed company and one of Australia's biggest employers.
Along with being part of the Wesfarmers Group, and the benefits it brings, there are many fantastic reasons to join Blackwoods.
Balance and Inclusion
At Blackwoods, diversity is part of our DNA - is in our history, culture and identity. We are committed to creating a workplace where people feel comfortable to be themselves, and have equal opportunities to feel valued and safe to contribute their best.
We know that a balanced and inclusive workforce delivers better business outcomes, improved customer service, greater capacity for innovation, increased productivity, increased employee engagement and enables us to attract the very best talent.
Blackwoods embraces equal employment opportunity which is pivotal to addressing employment disadvantages in our community for any diverse groups including but not limited to: women, Aboriginal people, people with a disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Balance and Inclusion means we reflect the communities in which we operate. For Blackwoods, it is about participation across all roles, access to opportunities (learning and development) and programs and policies that support and facilitate all employee participation equally.
It is important that we recruit, promote and retain the best people to remain competitive as a business. The benefits of having equitable participation in the workforce goes beyond meeting regulatory requirements: it makes good business sense. In 2016, Blackwoods launched a new workplace flexibility policy and a new parental leave policy designed to forge strong career paths for women in our business and we continue to look for ways that can support gender equality not just in the workforce but also in the community.
Flexible Working Environment
As part of our commitment to Balance and Inclusion, Blackwoods supports flexible work arrangements, we recognise that team members are happiest and most productive when they are able to effectively balance their home and work lives, and ensuring they have the flexibility to work when and where they choose is a key part of Blackwoods’ commitment to a happy workforce.
Our Graduate Program
Each year Blackwoods takes on a number of graduates for full time and part time internships. Graduates are sourced from a variety of locations including Career Trackers, an Indigenous Internship Program, and various universities right across Australia. In 2018, Blackwoods took in a wide array of graduates in fields ranging from Pricing and Analytics to Marketing.
When you join Blackwoods as a graduate, you join in a full-time permanent position. During the first 2 years, you will be developed and supported by your Manager, Sponsor and Graduate Advisor who will help facilitate and build your professional growth.
Blackwoods is committed to kick-starting your career in our collaborative and dynamic business through a multifaceted approach to developing new graduates. Every graduate is mentored by a senior leader, provided on-the-job training along with practical experience and a career development plan along with invaluable networking opportunities. This is complimented by quarterly professional development sessions, where graduates develop new skills, gain further exposure to Senior Leaders and develop build a support network with other graduates.
Health & Safety
Health and safety is an integral part of our culture at Blackwoods. We rigorously monitor and report on our Health and Safety Environment (HSE) scorecard every month and have a dedicated focus particularly on high risk areas such as our Distribution Centres. The Blackwoods Health and Safety strategy focuses on four pillars: governance, operational excellence, physical wellbeing and psychological well being.
Blackwoods total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR) improved by 18 per cent in FY18 with hazard/near-miss reporting and Branch Plan completion rates were all above target.
Blackwoods is also committed ensuring the wellbeing of our employees, which is integral to the continued health and safety of our team members. One of the wellbeing initiatives happening across Blackwoods is our Employee Assistance Program.
Employee Assistance Program
Blackwoods has partnered with Assure to provide a comprehensive support program for team members and their families. Blackwoods employees are entitled to a series of anonymous free counselling or life coaching sessions with a trained psychiatrist. The services our EAP provides include: Wellbeing Coaching, Financial Coaching, Legal Advice, Nutrition/ Diet coaching and I-Care, emotional and practical support service for Indigenous employees. Assure also offers a range of specialist EAP services for leaders and managers.
These services are aimed towards helping team members with any issue they may encounter at work and may wish to remain anonymous to discuss it, but also any issue which may be affecting them outside of work hours. There is also a specialist Emergency Support service which is operational 24/7, 365 days per year and is available to employees, their family members (where applicable) and leaders. This specialist service provides short-term support options for callers presenting with urgent and crisis issues. As a Blackwoods employee, you will have complete access to every service Assure provides as a part of our EAP.
