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Media Release

March 11 2009

Experts to tackle justice for women at work

issues confronting working womenFour expert speakers will tackle issues confronting Australia’s working women at a forum at the University of South Australia next week.

‘Justice for Women at Work: A discussion of paid parental leave and pay equity’ is being jointly presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, The Centre for Work + Life and the School of Management.

Hawke Centre Executive Director Elizabeth Ho said two major government inquiries were currently examining issues fundamental to women’s equality in the workforce – the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Paid Parental Leave and the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment and Workplace Relations Inquiry into pay equity and female participation in the workforce.

“Our speakers will offer perspectives to inform our understanding of the underlying issues, from the implications for business and the community of a paid maternity leave system, through to pay equity insights,” she said.

Associate Professor Marian Baird from the University of Sydney will canvass the pros and cons of a government-funded maternity leave scheme, the current state of play in the private and public sector, and the benefits to business of moving forward on maternity leave and related policies even in times of economic stress.

Trish Todd from the University of Western Australia will outline what is needed to improve gender pay equity in Australia and consider to what extent this is likely to occur.

New research on how pressed Australian women are for time will be discussed by UniSA’s Centre for Work + Life Director, Professor Barbara Pocock.

Professor Pocock will focus on how being pressed for time affects inequality at work. She will look at how employers, employees and governments should be reacting to growing working time issues.

Ms Ho said visiting United States Professor Margaret Hallock will add to the picture with an overview of the women and work policy environment under President Obama and in the context of the global financial crisis.

UniSA’s School of Management Research Professor in Human Resource Management, Professor Carol Kulik, will chair this free event.

Event details:
Tuesday March 17 at 5.30pm, in the Bradley Forum, UniSA City West Campus
Hawke Building, Level 5, 50-60 North Terrace, Adelaide
Go to www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au to register – registration is essential.
 


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