Women


Employer of Choice for Women Employer of Choice for Women logo

UWS is a recipient of the prestigious citation Employer of Choice for Women 2013.

This is the tenth successive year that the University has received this award.

The UWS programs and initiatives that contribute to the University’s ongoing status as an 'Employer of Choice for Women' include:

  • Flexible work arrangements for staff with caring responsibilities, including the availability of job share programs or part-time work; 20 weeks paid maternity or adoption leave; and phased return to work after maternity leave.
  • Annual Pay Equity Audits to address gender pay gaps.
  • Child care centres on five campus providing subsidised child care for staff and students

Workplace Gender Equality

The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act has been replaced by the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012. The focus of the new Act is on men as well as women and positions pay equity and the caring responsibilities of men and women as critical to success in achieving gender equality.

Under the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012, UWS has an obligation to continue to work towards gender equality in the workplace and report annually on progress.

The UWS 2013  Workforce Profile Report has been lodged with the  Workforce Gender Equality Agency. The Report is available to download in PDF or Word Format  

UWS 2013 Report to the Workforce Gender Equality Agency (PDF 145kb)
(opens in a new window)

UWS 2013 Report to the Workforce Gender Equality Agency (Word 284kb) (opens in a new window)

If you require the Report in another format please phone Equity and Diversity on 9678 7378

Equity and Diversity works with supervisors and managers to develop strategies and programs to promote gender equality.

UWS Women's Network

Launched by the Vice-Chancellor in 2007, the UWS Women's Network provides a forum for staff to meet, network, share information and discuss gender equity issues.

Equity and Diversity facilitates the Network Seminars, which are are free and open to all members of staff.

Attendance at the seminars is considered to be a staff development training experience and time taken to attend is recorded as being on duty.

2012 Network Seminar Where are the Women Professors?
Guest speaker Dr Marian Baird Professor of Employment Relations at Sydney University examines why women continue to be underrepresented in the professoriate and what we can do to get more women professors. The full seminar with the Vice Chancellor's opening address, guest speaker address and participant recommendations is available at UWS Youtube Where are the Women Professors Seminar (opens in a new window)

International Women's Day

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated every year around the world on 8 March.

UWS holds two annual events to mark IWD

On Friday March 8 2013 there was :

  • a Staff Breakfast at the Boilerhouse Restaurant on Parramatta Campus hosted by the Vice Chancellor. Guest Speaker Barrister Jane Seymour spoke about the impacts of the new Workplace Gender Equality Act and proposed changes to Anti Discrimination legislation. 
  • the 2013 UWS Women of the West and Young Women of the West Awards hosted by the Vice Chancellor. Guest Speaker was acclaimed theatre director and writer Ros Horin. Link to Youtube video of the 2013 Women of the West Awards (opens in a new window)

2012 IWD Events

Equal Pay Day

Equal Pay Day, is an annual event to highlight the serious issue of gender pay inequity. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that the average gender pay gap for full time workers in 2012 is 17.4%.

To mark UWS support for Equal Pay Day 2012 which falls on September 2, a series of posters on the theme of gender pay equity were produced through a joint project between Equity and Diversity and the School of Communication Arts.

These colourful and thought provoking posters are designed to raise awareness and promote critical thinking around the issue of gender pay equity.

External Sites

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