The term 'Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace', formerly called 'Affirmative Action', is used to describe programs and strategies aimed at gaining equality for women. It is about ensuring that all employees are treated with fairness and respect, given promotion and access to opportunities on the basis of merit and are not subject to discrimination or harassment in the workplace.

"Research provides evidence of the continuing pattern of disadvantage characterising women's employment in universities. This disadvantage is a part of broader labour market patterns which require sector wide responses. There remains considerable under representation of women at senior levels within universities and in traditionally male occupations and disciplines. For academic and general staff, the lower earnings of women cannot be explained by differences in qualifications, experience or job content. (Probert et al 1998)." (Australian Vice- Chancellors' Committee's Action Plan for Women employed In Australian Universities, 1999 to 2003).

Equal Opportunity is not about quotas. It is not about discrimination to favour women.

Currently women do not have equality in the workforce. Policy changes and innovative programs have not yet produced the extent of cultural change required; informal values and expectations change very slowly. Research indicates it is not the qualifications, experience or abilities of women but the culture of organisations, the attitudes, values and assumptions about women, which limit women's promotion and the attainment of equality.

The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act, 1999 (Cth) aims to:

	Promote merit in employment;
	Promote equal employment opportunity and eliminate discrimination;
	Encourage consultation between employers and employees on these issues.

The Act specifically says that all employers with 100 or more employees must:

  Develop an equal opportunity for women in the workplace program, considering the seven Employment Matters, which are:

• Recruitment and selection procedures
• Promotion, transfer and termination of employment
• Training and development
• Work organisation
• Conditions of service
• Arrangements for dealing with sex-based harassment
• Arrangements for dealing with pregnancy, potentially pregnant employees and employees who are breastfeeding

  Report annually to the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) on the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Program. Workplace programs need to analyse the seven Employment Matters, and if necessary seek to address issues in these areas.

To find out more about EOWA & the Equal Opportunity for women in the Workplace Act click here.

To view the UB's annual report and plan under the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act, and to see data on UB's employment profile and a range of aspects by gender (eg use of entitlements, promotion, separations, reclassifications) click here.