Media Releases
Flexible, fair workplaces high on women’s agenda – new report
05/03/2008
Victorian women have rejected the Superwoman as a not so super role model, a report released today by the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission shows. Launched in time for International Women’s Day on Saturday, the report highlights that women feel stretched and stressed about juggling their multiple roles as workers and carers.
The report, Women, Rights and Equality: What do they want now? captures the views of 50 women from across Victoria. The women said they want pay equity and flexibility in the workplace to allow them to balance their multiple roles in life. Part-time and casual work was seen as a double-edged sword, providing flexibility but insecurity.
Most women said they felt it was impossible to have a successful career without sacrificing family life. Commission CEO, Dr Helen Szoke, said it was clear workplaces had not genuinely embraced the ‘family friendly’ conditions and practices that became the buzz words of the 90s.
“Workplace culture needs to change if we want to achieve real equal opportunity,” she said.
“Currently, workplaces operate very much on male terms - as if every worker has a ‘wife’ who takes care of all the domestic and caring duties.
“The Superwomen of the 80s and 90s tried to fit in with the system. It is time the system fit in with women’s multiple roles,” she said.
Dr Szoke said recent amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act were a step in the right direction.
The amendments mean that from September employers will not be able to unreasonably refuse requests for flexible workplace arrangements relating to family responsibilities.
“This change, coupled with the labour shortage means that many women can afford to be more assertive about negotiating family friendly conditions,” she said.
Women, Rights and Equality: What do they want now?
Launch: 10am Wednesday 5th March 2008 at the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, 3/380 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
Media Enquiries: Alex Manning 0407 328 633
