How employers can support women

What employers can do to ensure women can enter and thrive in the manufacturing sector.

Inclusive and open-minded recruitment processes – for example focus on the skills needed in position ads, rather than the specific education or years of industry experiences to broaden the talent pool.
More flexible work options for people with caring responsibilities – such as offering flexible start and finish times and job-sharing arrangements.
Appropriate facilities and equipment for women – for example ensuring women and gender diverse people have access to appropriate bathrooms, sanitary bins, and personal protective equipment (PPE) (including maternity and culturally appropriate PPE).
Wraparound supports for women’s career progression – such as mentoring, leadership programs, networking opportunities, peer support, cultural leave and family violence leave.
Re-thinking what and who makes a good leader – for example taking a holistic view of what an effective leader is through prioritising leaders who foster a collaborative, empathetic and inclusive approach.
Additional and targeted support to overcome systemic barriers to participation and advancement – such as offering reproductive leave, providing a safe and private space for workers to pray, and ensuring workplaces are age-friendly and accessible for women with disabilities.

Resources, toolkits and templates

Employer obligations

WorkSafe Victoria’s WorkWell Toolkit A practical toolkit to help employers prevent and manage work-related gendered violence. WorkSafe Victoria’s WorkWell Toolkit section
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s Guideline: Preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment Six minimum standards for employers to meet their duty to eliminate sexual harassment. VEOHRC’s Guideline: Preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment page
Fair Work Ombudsman information on family violence leave Family and domestic violence leave
Victorian Fair Jobs Code Standards on fostering workplace equity and diversity. Businesses can apply for a Pre-Assessment Certificate to show they meet the code. Buying For Victoria’s Fair Jobs Code page
Safe Respectful Workplaces training The Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC) provide training for industrial officers, organisers, workers and management that is focused on eradicating gendered violence, and building safe and respectful workplaces using the rights and responsibilities conferred by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. VTHC Safe Respectful Workplace page

Supporting gender equality in the workplace

Pay Equality Toolkit A set of resources for small to medium enterprises in Victoria to help them achieve equal pay. VEOHRC’s Pay Equality Toolkit page
Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s Gender Equality Toolkit Includes a guide to developing a gender equality strategy and a diagnostic tool to assess performance and identify gaps. WGEA’s Gender strategy toolkit page
Our Watch’s Workplace Equality and Respect Program Includes free tools to help businesses identify actions to promote gender equality and respect. Our Watch’s Workplace, Equality and Respect page
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance Offers training and events for employers in South East Melbourne looking to foster inclusive and diverse workplaces. Women in manufacturing page
Champions of Change Coalition’s online resources Includes resources for leaders on fostering inclusive gender equality in the workplace and guidance on closing gender pay gaps. Champions of Change Coalition’s Reports and resources page
Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector’s (CGEPS) leading practice resources Practical resources to help businesses improve gender equality. CGEPS’ Leading practice resources page
Victorian Women’s Health Services workplace training Includes training on bystander action. Victorian Women’s Health Services website
WORK180 Helps employers focus, track and amplify their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, as well as connect with prospective female employees seeking inclusive workplaces WORK180 website
National Association of Women in Operations Offers programs for operations leaders to build inclusive leadership capabilities. NAWO website
NAWO Case Study series Funded by the Victorian Government, NAWO’s Case Study series spotlights the inspiring journeys towards greater diversity and inclusion for manufacturing and energy sectors employers across Victoria. NAWO x Case Studies website
Empowered Women in Trades Provides programs and services to increase women and non-binary people’s participation in trades. EWIT website
Tradeswomen Australia’s training and support programs Offers a range of training programs for employers looking to improve diversity and inclusion. Tradeswomen Australia’s Training and support services page
Victorian Women’s Trust’s menstrual and menopause wellbeing policy template Example of how organisations can supports their staff’s health and wellbeing with a menstrual and menopause wellbeing policy. VWT’s Menstrual and menopause wellbeing policy page
Champions of Change Resources for employers on how to create flexibility for shift and site-based workers. Shifting Expectations: Flexibility for frontline, shift and site-based roles
Jobsbank An independent, non-for-profit Victorian organisation that helps businesses create inclusive workplaces and supports inclusive social procurement. Jobsbank website

https://www.youtube.com/embed/2v52aU9GGWo?autoplay=0&start=0&rel=0

Women in manufacturing – AMWU and Viva Energy, Women in Trades

View transcript

Spotlight on Victorian Government action

Pay Equality Toolkit

The Pay Equality Toolkit is a set of resources for small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Victoria to help them achieve equal pay.

The toolkit includes:

information on equal pay concepts
a progress self-assessment tool, the Pay Equality Compass
templates and guidance for creating things like audits and action plans.

The Compass helps SMEs assess strengths and opportunities in their business practices. It also identifies which tools they should use to meet their goals around equal pay. Tools include:

a sample equal pay policy
a model for handling complaints
advice on how to conduct a gender pay audit
a capability matrix to help businesses understand the skills each role needs
other workbooks and templates for SMEs to tailor and use.

Leading practice examples

Jayco’s flexible approach to shift work leading the way

Victorian caravan and motorhome manufacturer, Jayco, is leading the way using flexible work practices to support women’s economic equity.

Act on Site program

Recruiting and keeping more women in trades in the Grampians region. The program aims to create safe, healthy and equitable workplaces for all.

Mini vic.gov.au

How employers can support women

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Resources, toolkits and templates

Employer obligations

Supporting gender equality in the workplace

Spotlight on Victorian Government action

Pay Equality Toolkit

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Jayco’s flexible approach to shift work leading the way

Act on Site program

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