Work life balance depends on radical social change

14/06/2006

Nothing short of a social revolution will lead to real work/life balance, the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria will argue this week.

Speaking ahead of the Commission's forum WORK LIFE BALANCE - RHETORIC OR REALITY?, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Helen Szoke said the entrenched notion of the 'ideal worker' was holding Australian workers to ransom.

"We will never achieve work/life balance until we, as a society, make a radical social shift away from this outdated model of the ideal worker who is full-time, male and unencumbered by family responsibilities.

"Those who do not fit into the ideal worker mould are often penalised with casualisation, insecure work and fewer entitlements such as paid sick leave or holidays. Even when family friendly policies are offered, Australia's culture of long work hours means that it takes a certain amount of bravery to request flexibility."

Dr Szoke said the lack of gender pay equity also undermined efforts to achieving work/life balance.

"Until we have pay equity, the decision about who stays home with the children will always be decided along gender lines. Pay equity would allow parents the option of splitting their time between work and family without taking a financial body blow."

Discrimination on the basis of parental or carer status was outlawed in 1995. Since then the Commission has dealt with 1,500 complaints from people who believe they have been treated unfairly because of parental or carer status.

And while individual complaints may have resolved some individual issues, the systemic, or entrenched, discrimination against workers with caring responsibilities requires a systemic solution.

"Family friendly policies and flexible workplace provisions are a small step in the right direction but akin to attacking an iceberg with a toothpick."

On Friday 16th June, about 200 leaders from business, unions, industry, government and the community sector will come together in what promises to be a lively public debate on achieving work/life balance. The event, organised by the Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria and hosted by radio and television personality Julie McCrossin, aims to cut through the rhetoric and find real solutions.

Speakers include: Dr Don Edgar, author of The War over Work; Tony Steven, CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia; Cath Bowtell, Industrial Officer of the Australian Council of Trade Unions and Melissa Carfax-Foster Director of Epworth Hospital, Richmond & Chair of the Nursing Advisory Council. See attached backgrounder on speakers.

WHEN: Friday 16 June 2006, 10.00am-11.30am (doors open 9.30am).

WHERE: Melbourne Museum (The Age Theatre).