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Equal opportunity for women in the workplace

Commitment to equal employment opportunity for women

Monash University supports the spirit and intention of the Commonwealth Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act (1999). This commitment to equal employment opportunity can be seen in the University's premier strategic document Leading the Way - Monash 2020 which states that Monash is determined to provide a working environment:

Where there is a commitment to equity and the principles of gender equity and equal employment opportunity are given practical effect throughout the institution. (p.16)

Each year since 1987, the University has implemented an equal opportunity for women in the workplace program, designed to remove barriers to women entering and advancing within the institution.

Workplace program requirements

Under the current legislation, the University's equal opportunity for women in the workplace program must include:

  • Preparing a workplace profile (factual information about the composition of the workforce);
  • Identifying equal employment opportunity issues for women;
  • Taking actions to address those issues;
  • Measuring outcomes;
  • Reporting on these activities and achievements.

Employment matters

In analysing and identifying equal employment opportunity issues for women, the University must consider seven major employment matters that reflect contemporary human resource practice. These are:

  • Recruitment and selection;
  • Promotion, transfer and termination of employment;
  • Training and development;
  • Work organisation;
  • Conditions of service;
  • Arrangements for dealing with sex-based harassment; and
  • Arrangements for dealing with pregnancy, potentially pregnant employees and employees who are breastfeeding.

Equal employment opportunity strategies and initiatives

Each year, the University puts in place a number of strategies and initiatives designed to assist both academic and General staff women in their employment at the University. These include initiatives which offer opportunities for individual development, and broader, organisational strategies which seek to achieve better employment outcomes for all women staff.

Reporting

The University submits an annual report to the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency on the progress made in their workplace program.