Realities and Extent of Gender Discrimination in Australia

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The realities and extent of Gender Discrimination in Australia will be effectively and constructively explored deeply throughout this report. The report will analyse and examine reliable information which powerfully showcases the impacts of gender discrimination in the workplace environment and what influences it holds on the employers and employees.

Numerous articles have been closely investigated to provide effectual evidence to the findings made. This report will discuss the prevalence of gender discrimination, the impact of it on employees and how it is being addressed by employers and the government. These articles present extensive sources and statistics that can be further elaborated to discuss the impact of gender discrimination in Australia.

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How does Gender Discrimination affect the Workplace?

What is Gender Discrimination & its Prevalence?

Over the course of history, gender discrimination has been a vital and crucial topic in the workplace. Gender Discrimination is when an employee or a job applicant, is treated differently or less favourably because of their sex or gender.

It is clear that gender discrimination is still a major issue striking in different parts of Australia mostly accounting for the gender pay gap. Through the exploration of Australia’s Gender Pay Gap Statistics, alarming results have been analysed between the inequitable income of females and males.

https://www.wgea.gov.au/data/fact-sheets/australias-gender-pay-gap-statistics

The following graph examined from the Australian Government Workplace gender equality agency displays the vast difference between the gender pay gap recorded in 2018. The column graph appropriately showcases factual evidence, adequately presenting how women of all ages are receiving a lower income. It is comprehensible that women of older age, particularly 55 and above are at a pay gap of 17.7% in comparison with women 20 years and younger who stand at 1.9%. Consequently, by observing the results within this graph, it can be reviewed that the average gender pay gap is smallest for employees aged 20 years and under and sharply increases for those aged between 21 and 34 years. The gender pay gap is at its widest for the 35 to 44 years age group and for those over 55 years. Deeply observing this information it is appropriate to analyse that women are more likely to spend time out of the workforce in comparison to men, there can be several reasons behind this such as providing care for children. Therefore, as a result of lower employment hours, women have fewer promotion opportunities and are less likely than men to hold highly compensated jobs.

How does Gender Discrimination affect the Workplace?

Negative Impact Of Gender Discrimination

Gender Discrimination can be extensively affected by the workplace issue leading to negative as well as positive impacts on society and individual. The following mindmap designed below sufficiently outlines the negative impacts Gender Discriminations holds on employers and employees.

Impact on Employees within Australia

In response to the concerns, the Australian government has implemented various legislation such as the Sex Discrimination Act 1984. The legislation covers the issues of discrimination in education, partnerships, marital status, sexual harassment and potential pregnancy. Inequalities between both genders were slowly becoming a problem therefore, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 came after Australia signed the United Nations’ International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Although several legislations have been assembled many individuals still strongly believe gender discrimination is occurring in Australia.

https://www.hcamag.com/au/news/general/is-gender-discrimination-getting-worse/153974

The Article provided by the Human Resources Director explores the evidence of Gender discrimination in Australia and if the levels of it are decreasing or increasing. The article presents a study commissioned by The Citrus Group, which found that “54% of Australians believe gender inequality is still an issue in the workplace. However, this is a major contrast to a study conducted in 2008 by The University of Canberra that found 88% of Australians agreed that gender inequality was a problem, highlighting a significant improvement in public perception over 10 years”. Although a vast improvement can be analysed, the percentage of gender discrimination is still fairly high. The article also mentioned that “of those that felt gender inequality was still an issue, 42% said it was largely due to women being paid less than their male counterparts”. Gender Discrimination widely and extensively affects several employees, especially women in Australia due to the following reasons researched:

  • Men and women still work in gender-biased industries, and female-dominated industries or jobs often have lower average wages
  • Bias and discrimination in recruitment and pay decisions
  • Women, on average, handle a disproportionate share of unpaid care and domestic work
  • Lack of workplace flexibility to accommodate care and other responsibilities, especially in senior roles, meaning women often miss out on higher positions (and salaries)
  • Women tend to spend more time out of the workforce having children which can impact their career progression compared to men

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-06/australian-women-reveal-shocking-cases-of-inequality-at-work/9516642

We are able to elaborate on the large number of individuals experiencing disrespect, harassment and inequality in the workplace which unfortunately heavily impacts their day to day income and job. The article by ABC news mentions how 18 percent of women with a disability experienced harassment, this evidently reports to us the disadvantage these women are facing due to their disability. Downgrading and harassing an individual will severely affect them through several factors, especially if they are diagnosed with a disability. https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/supporting-people-with-disability/about-people-with-disability-in-australia

Through this fact sheet provided by the Australian Government Department of Social Sources, it is evident that people suffering from a disability are more likely to be underemployed. It is unjust to disregard employment opportunities if an individual is undertaken by a disability, equal opportunity to all citizens must be showcased in order to display diversity and equality. Commonwealth, state and territory, and local governments are committed to working together to support people with disability to maximise their potential and participate as equal citizens in Australian society. It is important that all people with disability have fair access to things like employment, healthcare, education, transport, housing and public facilities/buildings.

How does Gender Discrimination affect the Workplace?

How is it being addressed by employers, Government

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-06/australian-women-reveal-shocking-cases-of-inequality-at-work/9516642

Higher powers are frequently trying to address gender discrimination and outline ways to reduce it. For example, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) aims to improve gender equality in Australian workplaces. It works collaboratively with employers, offering advice and assistance to promote and improve gender equality in their workplaces. The Agency is also committed to raising the level of public awareness and debate on gender equality issues in the workplace. Through researching the article provided by ABC news, it has been found that Federal Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer said the Government had committed to expanding its own survey of sexual harassment in the workplace from a sample of 2,000 to 10,000 women. On the whole, expanding numbers of surveys will greatly allow higher powers to understand the negative circumstances faced by individuals on a larger scale. In this way, more people are able to share their personal experiences and provide ideas on how change can be established. The article also delivers insight into the #MeToo campaign providing relevant information to it and elaborating how women can share their personal experiences with other women.

The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 (the EOWW Act) came into effect on 1 January 2000, renaming and updating the Affirmative Action (Equal Employment Opportunity for Women) Act 1986. The Parliament of Australia effectively introduced this act to create equal opportunity for women and promote gender equality in the workforce.

The graph on the left showcases the increase in employer action on gender equality and how these organizations are contributing to maintain an equal environment. In 2018, pay equity has been on the rise among employers, with 41.6 percent saying they have a strategy in place to analyse payroll data. It is crucial more employers take a stand in reducing gender discrimintion.

Gender pay gap is improving, new report says

Conclusion

After reviewing numerous articles and deeply investigating the extent, impact, history and addressment of Gender Discrimination by higher powers such as employees and the Governemt, it has come to a conclusion that Gender Discrimination is still a laboriously discussed problem in many parts of Australia. Although higher voices such as the Government are attempting to reduce these circumstances by setting up organisations, acts and conducting surveys, many individuals still believe further action should be taken to develop an equal society.

Bibliography

  1. https://www.hrmonline.com.au/research/gender-pay-gap-improving-new-report-says/
  2. https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/supporting-people-with-disability/about-people-with-disability-in-australia
  3. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-06/australian-women-reveal-shocking-cases-of-inequality-at-work/9516642
  4. https://www.hcamag.com/au/news/general/is-gender-discrimination-getting-worse/153974
  5. https://www.wgea.gov.au/data/fact-sheets/australias-gender-pay-gap-statistics
  6. https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1112a/12bd147
  7. https://theconversation.com/how-men-and-women-can-help-reduce-gender-bias-in-the-workplace-62041
  8. https://www.etax.com.au/gender-pay-gap/
  9. https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/supporting-people-with-disability/about-people-with-disability-in-australia
  10. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-38958663
  11. https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2012B00025/Explanatory%20Memorandum/Text

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