Workplace gender equality: call for public comments

The Acting Minister for the Status of Women, Jenny Macklin, today called for public comment to help develop the next stage of the Australian Government’s landmark workplace gender equality reforms.

The introduction of the Workplace Gender Equality Act in November means employers with 100 or more employees will be required from 2014 to provide information against a standard set of gender equality indicators in their workplace.

“The Government is currently consulting on the specific reporting detail contained in the gender equality indicators,” Ms Macklin said.

“We want to make sure the reporting process is both simple and effective.

“We are asking anyone with a special knowledge or interest in workplace gender equality to let us know their priorities.

“Measures of outcomes could include the number of men and women at different levels in an organisation, the proportion of employees using parental leave, occupations by gender and part-time work by gender.

“Other reporting matters could be about practical ways in which employers promote workplace gender equality.

“These could include flexible working conditions, strategies for dealing with gender-based discrimination, consultation with employees on gender equality, talent identification processes and child care provision.

Ms Macklin said the consultation process and the development of the reporting matters will help increase understanding of what’s most important in improving gender equality in the workplace.

“It is critical that the reporting matters are useful to business and are able to drive improvements in workplace practices that support greater gender equality.

“The new reporting framework will reduce the reporting burden on employers, as well as provide employers with invaluable information about their workplaces, their progress year by year and in comparison to their industry peers.

“We are confident we can develop a practical and meaningful set of reporting matters to help us measure and drive improvements in women’s workforce participation and equality,” Ms Macklin said.

The issues brief is available at http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/women/publications-articles/consultation-process-to-develop-reporting-matters-under-the-workplace-gender-equality-act or by contacting the Office for Women on 02 6146 1861.

Written comments are invited by 29 January 2013. Submissions can be sent to women@fahcsia.gov.au.

Targeted face-to-face consultations will occur early this year with key parties and peak bodies.