Equality Talks: Back to the future
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread disruption in Victorians’ working lives – and there’s an ongoing risk that progress on gender equality will backslide. Women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, facing job insecurity, lost income and the pressure of balancing caring responsibilities with work commitments. For International Women’s Day 2021, we hosted a fascinating conversation about harnessing flexible work, embracing hybrid models and advancing gender equality in the ‘new normal’.
In March each year, International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements and contribution of women and girls. The theme in 2021 is ‘Choose to challenge’.
This year, we hosted a speaker event and webinar exploring how we can advance gender equality and foster safe, inclusive workplaces in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Equality Talks: Back to the future - Advancing workplace equality in the 'new normal'
In our latest Equality Talks event, Back to the future – Advancing workplace equality in the ‘new normal’, three leading thinkers in workplace equality confronted the immediate challenge facing our workplaces. As we reach a ‘COVID-normal’, characterised by more flexible and hybrid ways of working, how can we ensure we don’t inadvertently go back to the past and lose recent progress on workplace and economic equality?
Speakers:
Sara Charlesworth, Professor of Work, Gender & Regulation in the School of Management, RMIT University
Adam Fennessy PSM, Victorian Public Sector Commissioner
Fiona Vines, Head of Inclusion & Diversity and Workforce Transition teams, BHP
The presentations were followed by a Q&A session facilitated by Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, Kristen Hilton.
The panel discussion was hosted on Wednesday 10 March 2021, 12.30pm to 1.30pm.
Recording and transcript:
This event was recorded and can be viewed below. You can download a transcript of this event at the bottom of the page.
[Recording] Equality Talks: Back to the future - Advancing workplace equality in the 'new normal' panel discussion
Webinar: Gender equality workplace solutions for the 'new normal'
Designed for employers and employees, our International Women’s Day webinar, Gender equality workplace solutions for ‘the new normal’, provided practical advice and innovative tools to guide you through the emerging challenges of the ‘new normal’. Find out more about having respectful conversations about flexible work, important tips on preventing and responding to sexual harassment, and how you can take action to progress gender equality in your workplace.
The webinar was presented by Kristen Hilton, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, and Justine Vaisutis, Head of Education and Engagement at the Commission and delivered on Wednesday 10 March 2021, 2.00pm to 3.00pm.
Recording and transcript:
This event was recorded and can be viewed below. You can download a transcript of this event at the bottom of the page.