Universities face New Reporting Requirements to Promote Gender Equality

Changes to gender reporting requirements under the new Workplace Gender Equality Act 2014 (Cth) will see tighter requirements placed on universities, the first of which is a submission to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency by 31 May 2014.

The new act replaces the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 (Cth) to more accurately reflect and promote the issues of men and women in the workplace.

Over the next two years, universities will be expected to transition to the new reporting and compliance framework under the act.

In the short term, universities must lodge a report including a workplace profile, and complete a reporting questionnaire on six Gender Equality Indicators by 31 May 2014.

The Six Gender Equality Indicators cover:

• The employment status and gender composition of occupations in the business
• The gender composition of the governing body of the business
• Remuneration and gender pay equity objectives
• Availability and utility of employment terms and conditions related to family responsibilities
• Consultation with employees on gender equality
• Sexual harassment and discrimination initiatives adopted by the organisation

After lodgement, universities must comply with notification and access requirements as soon as reasonably practicable. Shareholders, members and employees should be informed that the workplace profile has been lodged and be granted access to view a copy of the profile.

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