There are many ways workplaces can support the women working within their organisation and strive towards gender equality. The way an organisation will do this will depend on the size and type of organisation. Some ways employers can work towards gender equality include:

• Addressing pay disparity by performing a gender pay gap analysis and ensuring women are paid at the same rates as men.

• Perform a gender equity audit to identify where organisational changes can be made.

• Increasing workplace flexibility for everyone, not just mothers. This will encourage men to contribute more to unpaid caring work, taking some of the burden off women.

• Providing superannuation payments during parental leave, to help boost women’s superannuation for retirement.

• Increasing the number of women and gender diverse staff, at all levels including management.

• Developing family violence policies and procedures to assist employees who are experiencing family violence.

• Developing and implementing a strong policy against sexual harassment in the workplace and a supportive workplace culture for women.

• Provide gender lens and unconscious bias training for all staff.

For more information about developing and implementing these policies visit the Workplace Gender Equality Agency website and VicHealth's Generating Equality and Respect resources.

Family Violence and the Workplace

Family violence can have a huge impact on someone’s work life, and there are many ways an employer can support staff who may be experiencing abuse. Staying in paid employment can be a valuable lifeline to someone experiencing family violence, keeping them financially independent and preventing further social isolation.

Family violence is a pattern of behaviours used by one person to assert power and control over a family member or someone they are in a relationship with. It can include both physical and non-physical forms of violence. Find out more on our page what is family violence?

Experiencing violence doesn’t just affect a person’s home life, but all aspects of their lives including work. Employees experiencing violence may seem tired or distracted, have to miss work and use up their leave entitlements, be late to work, have to hide injuries or find it difficult to be productive. This can lead to performance management issues and even a loss of employment. Family violence is an OH&S issue, and should be treated as such by employers.

Having family violence policies in place can make it easier for staff and management to navigate situations of family violence, ensuring employees experiencing violence are given the support they need.

Family violence policies should include:

Paid family violence leave - all workers covered under modern awards are entitled to five days of unpaid family violence leave, although many workplaces provide their staff with paid leave. Considering the negative financial impacts of family violence and financial abuse, offering paid leave will ensure employees can still meet their basic needs. The ACTU has a model family violence leave clause that can be inserted into EBAs.

Flexible working conditions - flexible hours and working conditions may make it easier for someone experiencing violence to stay in paid employment.

Training for staff - all staff, in particular management and HR staff, should be trained in recognising and responding to family violence.

Designated family violence contacts - having designated family violence contacts who are trained to respond to disclosures of violence can make it easier for an employee to ask for support. All staff should be aware of who these contacts are and how they may be able to help those experiencing family violence.

Policies for dealing with employees perpetrating violence - as well as having employees that are victims of family violence employers should be aware that they may have employees who are perpetrating family violence. Some of this violence may even be perpetrated whilst in the workplace. Employers should have strong policies and procedures in case this occurs. More information about how to do this can be found in the guide understanding family violence as a workplace issue.

WIRE provides information and support to organisations wishing to improve their practices, policies and procedures that support women. For more information get in touch with Women & Money Project Manager Georgie Proud.