Australian women are more likely than men to retire early, citing health concerns, menopause, pay imbalances and caring responsibilities, but many say pay parity and greater flexibility would help them stay in the workforce longer, according to a seven-country survey.
Dental therapists and assistants covered by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers award would have FWC-proposed pay increases of up to 35% phased in over three years from January 1, under a consent position reached between employers and unions in a major gender-based undervaluation case.
The ASU is urging the FWC to scrap proposed changes to the SCHADS Award that it says could result in 73% of covered workers losing pay, and begin a new review with a broader remit.
A model working from home clause in a key award should avoid contributing to remote workers working "long and unsociable hours", address employer provision of equipment and apply to all employees, according to a Centre for Future Work report.
Victoria's Allan Government says it is considering using the State's equal opportunity laws to enshrine a two-day-per-week work-from-home "right" for public and private sector employees, while an IR expert suggests questions around its enforceability might be beside the point.
CFMEU women's networks have objected to construction division administrator Mark Irving's plan to invest $5.4 million in a men's construction-industry behaviour change program, accusing him of failing to consult women members.
The Federal public sector gender pay gap has more than halved in a year, falling from 13.5% to 6.4%, but employers could still improve on men's uptake of paid parental leave, according to a new WGEA report that includes individual agencies' remuneration disparities for the first time.
Workers in NSW will need to secure a ruling from the State IRC that bullying or harassment has occurred before they seek compensation for a related psychological injury, under draft legislation that will also add gender equality as an object of state workplace laws.
Workplace Relations Minister Senator Murray Watt will weigh into a gender undervaluation award review case to make it clear the wages of affected workers must not go backwards, after the ASU warned proposed changes to the community and disability sector award might leave some workers up to $700 a week worse off.
