For Kristy Rutherford, Marketing Director Australia & New Zealand at Pernod Ricard, the Respect in Drinks Charter is more than a set of values. It’s a clear, collective commitment to ensuring the drinks industry is safe, inclusive and respectful for all.
“It’s important to me because feeling safe and respected in your workplace and in your industry is the absolute minimum expectation that people should be able to have,” she says. “However, there are still cases in recent history where this has not been the case. This tells us that more action is required and this Charter, along with the accompanying whistleblower hotline, is an important addition to our industry.”
Launched by the Drinks Association Embrace Difference Council, the Respect in Drinks Charter outlines a shared responsibility to eliminate discrimination, bullying, harassment and violence in all its forms. It encourages individuals and businesses to actively contribute to a culture where everyone feels safe and supported, and where disrespectful behaviour has no place.
For Kristy, the Charter’s strength lies in its collective nature. “It’s important because it’s collective and it’s a public commitment. This makes it more powerful and more likely to drive positive behaviour change,” she says.
At Pernod Ricard, Kristy is a visible advocate for respect and inclusion, and she’s deliberate about owning that role as a leader. “I take the opportunity to be out the front talking about respect, inclusion and safety regularly, and make sure this role doesn’t default to HR,” she explains. “Some of the important topics I’ve covered recently have been about conduct within hospitality venues, and responsible drinking and hosting.”
She’s also an active member of the company’s Gender Employee Resource Group, working to ensure equitable access and opportunity for all. “I’m committed to creating a fair and equitable workplace culture where all genders have access to the same resources, opportunities and rewards,” Kristy says. “For me, this means I will continue to advocate for breaking down any remaining barriers and biases that exist, until the concept of ‘gender equity’ itself is a relic.”
While the Charter sets a clear benchmark, Kristy hopes it also empowers individuals to speak up and take action. “I’m hoping people will stop, think and most importantly act if they see behaviours that don’t represent the standard of respect and inclusion this industry expects,” she says. “I also hope that it gives greater awareness to the indirect discriminatory or bullying behaviours, as they are harder to spot but have just as much damaging impact.”
She’s already seeing positive shifts within the industry, especially around how people are supported through major life events. “The best examples I have seen in recent years are how positively people are supported when they go on parental leave,” Kristy reflects. “This has been a huge change from 10–15 years ago when there was not the same respect and this was almost seen as a ’burden’.”
By championing the Respect in Drinks Charter, Kristy is helping to shape a drinks industry that not only celebrates diversity and inclusion but makes them a fundamental part of its culture.
The Drinks Association supports and encourages compliance by its members with the ‘Respect in Drinks Charter’ but makes no representations, expressly or by inference, in relation to the conduct of our members or their compliance with the Charter. The only representation made by the Association is that our member has signed the Charter. Any complaint or claim arising from any alleged breach of the Charter must be made directly to the member organisation.