media release
21 August 2009
For more information contact
Nicole Parsons 0412 505 854 or
Amber Fitzpatrick 0413 444 446
Organisations leave themselves exposed to EO complaints
The 2009 EOWA Survey of reporting organisations shows that while almost all organisations have formal
procedures for dealing with sex-based harassment in the workplace just over half provide training to staff
(59.1%) and even less provide training to managers (55.4%).
“This is an interesting finding especially in light of recent widely reported cases of sexual harassment claims in
Australian workplaces” Ms Steele said.
Over half (50.8%) of organisations reporting to EOWA now provide paid maternity leave to employees, an
increase from 48.9% the previous year. Not all women in these organisations will have access to the provision
but many will benefit from the federal government’s universal paid maternity leave scheme which is planned to
come in to effect in 2011.
The survey also shows that despite widespread agreement that steps ought to be taken to close the gender
pay gap, less than half of all organisations reporting to EOWA conduct a gender pay equity analysis - widely
regarded as the first step in addressing the problem.
Released in Canberra by Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, the EOWA Survey on Paid
Maternity Leave, Sex-based Harassment Initiatives and the Gender Pay Gap, sponsored by Alcoa, shows that
over a third of all people responsible for submitting a report to EOWA (37%) believe a gender pay gap exists in
their organisation.
Figures released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week showed that the gender pay gap now
stands at 17.5%. The gap is widest in the Finance and Insurance (30.4%) and smallest in Government
Administration and Defence (7.1%).
While some of the gender pay gap can be explained by demographic and labour market variables (eg age,
access to training and qualifications) Macquarie University researcher, Ian Watson, recently estimated that as
much as 70% of the gender pay gap is due to discrimination.
Interestingly, organisations on the 2009 EOWA Employer of Choice for Women citation list have an average
pay gap of 10.9%, significantly lower than the overall industry gap.
Mairi Steele, Acting EOWA Director says “addressing pay discrimination is fundamental to achieving equality
at work. However from EOWA’s experience it’s clear that the complexities of the problem are not yet fully
understood by Australian business.”
“A gender pay audit is a very effective way for an organisation to uncover a gender pay gap and begin to
address it. The fact that women are concentrated into certain occupations and in low paying positions are key
causes of the gap and not excuses for it”.
“Businesses can access a free Pay Equity Audit Tool available on the EOWA website which is designed to
help them identify any pay gaps, analyse the possible causes and take steps to address any issues.”
On September 1, EOWA will participate in the Equal Pay Day campaign to help the Australian public and
businesses better understand the causes of pay inequity. This date illustrates the number of extra days many
women have to work after the end of the financial year to earn the same as men.
For more information contact
Nicole Parsons 0412 505 854 or
Amber Fitzpatrick 0413 444 462
The EOWA Survey was based on the responses of more than 2,300 organisations that provided their annual equal
opportunity compliance reports to the Agency in 2008.
EOWA is a Federal Government statutory authority which administers the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace
Act (1999). Employers of 100 people or more are required to report to the Agency on the initiatives they take within their
organisations to advance women in the workplace. EOWA works with employers to improve equal opportunity outcomes
for women in the workplace to create an Australia where women in the workplace can achieve their greatest potential.
ENDS
The EOWA Survey on Paid Maternity Leave, Sex-based Harassment Initiatives and the Gender Pay Gap
publication and fact sheet can be downloaded from
NEWS 
