Our why is female empowerment, and it is at the core of everything we do. Our key focus is on empowering women to be financially independent through employment.
Our mission is to empower women to have choices to help build a life full of passion and purpose, whatever that may be. We are firm believers that employment is the key to financial independence, and financial independence provides freedom of choice.
Explore our initiatives below that all work hard towards this mission.
Paid-Parental Leave Program
Empowering women is our everyday mission. It’s in our DNA. Our Paid Parental Leave Program (PPLP) helps close the gap on inequality for those balancing the art of work and parenthood. It normalises the need to focus on the things that matter, and supports our team through every stage of the journey.
On average, an Australian woman earns $1 million less than an Australian man across her career. Across the first five years of parenting their first child, women’s earnings are reduced by 55% on average. During the same time, men’s earnings remain unaffected (Australian Government’s Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce 10 Year Plan).
We are determined to do our part to close this gap. Women work, women also create life and have children (can you say that again?!), and it's our view, if you wish, you should have the freedom to choose both. So, we’ve made a commitment. Every year we will take inspired action to continue to close this gap. As we grow, the impact we can make grows. Reinvesting profits, back into our people.
There is no doubt that the challenges faced by working women are complex, wide, and varied, but with the right support from employers, these challenges are infinitely more possible to overcome.
Two years on, our most asked question is ,"How does a business with 94% women afford a PPLP?" Our answer? We can't afford not to. Our call to action? Employers, leaders, business owners, it is time to prioritise programs like this. It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s good business. We have undertaken a self-case study to understand the true cost of our PPLP. What started as a commitment to do the right thing and empower our women, has evolved into being a strategic business decision driving long-term success in talent retention, attraction, and engagement, and we have the stats to prove it, including a 140% increase in job applicants from 2023.
If you’re a business or leader wanting to make change, our doors are open. Reach out to PC@dissh.com.au and join our collective mission.
Phase 1: Family Planning
- Paid leave for IVF, fertility, egg freezing, surrogacy, adoption planning, doctor appointments, and general pregnancy-related illness.
- A bespoke transition coaching program for expecting parents.
Phase 2: Parental Leave
- 16 weeks paid leave at full salary for primary carers.
- 4 weeks paid leave at full salary for secondary carers.
- Superannuation paid for up to 52 weeks.
- A bespoke transition coaching program for new parents.
Phase 3: Return To Work
- A flexible return to work schedule.
- Return to work financial support.
- Paid leave to support return to work including early pickups and unwell children.
- A bespoke transition coaching program for new parents.
The Encoreship
Our mission in empowering women doesn’t stop at those already within our walls. We extend the support through facilitating a game changing employment program: The Encoreship. A three-month paid placement for women facing challenges re-entering the corporate world. Be it financial independence, confidence, skill set, or other, our call to action is to help and assist, because everyone deserves to have a purpose-filled life.
Only 32% of mothers feel confident enough to re-enter the workforce (Get Qualified, 2016), and only 59% of mature age women (55 – 65 years) continue (Australian Government Women’s Workforce Participation, 2020). To us, that’s unacceptable, and with initiatives like the Encoreship, we can bridge that gap.
In 2021, we welcomed our first inspiring and deserving woman into the program at DISSH, with 6 currently in our Encoreship Alumni. With a new year just getting started, we plan to do it all over again in 2026.
For brands that want to get involved and make a difference in 2026, please email pc@dissh.com.au
Mary McConnel Career
Boost Program
Women are crucial in leadership roles across a range of industries. Period. It’s important to recognise the significance women have in these positions, and celebrate them for their efforts and excellence.
In March 2024 we strengthened our partnership with the Children’s Hospital Foundation (CHF) through supporting the return of the Mary McConnel Career Boost Program – an initiative established to honour the pioneering woman who inspired Queenslanders to re-evaluate the care and treatment of sick children. We have a multi-year commitment and have pledged to donate $450,000 over 3 years to annually support three inspiring female researchers in a bid to close the gender gap in academic research.
In 2024, only 20 percent of women account for senior academics in Australian universities and research institutes. It doesn’t take a scientist to realise the scales are unbalanced. With our pledge, we hope to even out the playing field through financial aid and opportunity.
Sign up for exclusive access to all the good things.
By subscribing you are agreeing to DISSH's Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Shop With Us
Customer Care
World of Dissh
G'day United States.
Free Shipping Over $100
Duties Now Included
Dissh acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
