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Half of working Australian mothers experience discrimination at work - survey Half of working Australian mothers experience discrimination at work - survey
(5 months later)
One in two mothers have experienced discrimination at work either during pregnancy, parental leave or once returned to work, a survey has revealed.One in two mothers have experienced discrimination at work either during pregnancy, parental leave or once returned to work, a survey has revealed.
The study by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) also found that 75% of the women do not report it to their employers.The study by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) also found that 75% of the women do not report it to their employers.
Discrimination was most commonly reported when women returned to work, followed by when they asked for or took parental leave, and then during pregnancy, with 37% of the latter group having their employment position threatened.Discrimination was most commonly reported when women returned to work, followed by when they asked for or took parental leave, and then during pregnancy, with 37% of the latter group having their employment position threatened.
Many women reported discrimination in more than one form when they fell pregnant, took leave or returned to work after having a child. The survey also found that one in five mothers had been fired, made redundant, had their role restructured or not had their contract renewed.Many women reported discrimination in more than one form when they fell pregnant, took leave or returned to work after having a child. The survey also found that one in five mothers had been fired, made redundant, had their role restructured or not had their contract renewed.
Around half reported discrimination relating to pay conditions and to health and safety.Around half reported discrimination relating to pay conditions and to health and safety.
Of the women who reported discrimination, more than 80% said it had a negative impact on them, with the biggest proportion of 72% reporting a negative effect on their mental health, followed by 42% on finances, 41% on their career, 39% on their family, and 22% on their physical health.Of the women who reported discrimination, more than 80% said it had a negative impact on them, with the biggest proportion of 72% reporting a negative effect on their mental health, followed by 42% on finances, 41% on their career, 39% on their family, and 22% on their physical health.
“I spoke to hundreds of women as I travelled around,” AHRC sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick told Guardian Australia.“I spoke to hundreds of women as I travelled around,” AHRC sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick told Guardian Australia.
“It’s a period of intense vulnerability anyway… and then you put an overlay of discriminatory behaviour over the top. These women said things like ‘I feel that I don’t matter any more… I feel demeaned an disempowered.’”“It’s a period of intense vulnerability anyway… and then you put an overlay of discriminatory behaviour over the top. These women said things like ‘I feel that I don’t matter any more… I feel demeaned an disempowered.’”
The survey also found that a high proportion of women who had been discriminated against - 22% - did not return to their former place of work compared with the 14% of women who did not report discrimination. The survey also found that a high proportion of women who had been discriminated against - 22% - did not return to their former place of work compared with the 14% of women who did not report discrimination.
Broderick said these numbers point to a negative effect on the Australian economy.Broderick said these numbers point to a negative effect on the Australian economy.
“At a time when we’re trying to increase women’s workforce participation, in recognising that if we want to build a strong economy, we need both men and women working - particular women of childbearing age,” she said. “At a time when we’re trying to increase women’s workforce participation, in recognising that if we want to build a strong economy, we need both men and women working - particular women of childbearing age,” she said.
That talent pool is the most untapped talent pool in Australia. Women are highly educated - 60% of all graduates from higher education organisations are women - to waste that talent does not make good economic sense.”That talent pool is the most untapped talent pool in Australia. Women are highly educated - 60% of all graduates from higher education organisations are women - to waste that talent does not make good economic sense.”
The data was drawn from two surveys conducted by the research company Roy Morgan.The data was drawn from two surveys conducted by the research company Roy Morgan.
One study randomly selected 2,000 birth and adoptive mothers who had received either paid parental leave or the baby bonus. The second study involved 1,000 fathers and partners who took the statutory two weeks leave.One study randomly selected 2,000 birth and adoptive mothers who had received either paid parental leave or the baby bonus. The second study involved 1,000 fathers and partners who took the statutory two weeks leave.
Despite taking very short periods of leave - mostly less than four weeks - more than one quarter of fathers and partners also reported discrimination in the workplace during or after their leave.Despite taking very short periods of leave - mostly less than four weeks - more than one quarter of fathers and partners also reported discrimination in the workplace during or after their leave.
Half of the reported discrimination referred to negative comments from colleagues and superiors. This group also reported in high rates a negative impact on their mental health (61%), followed by adverse impact on their family (42%), finances (37%), career (30%) and physical health (13%).Half of the reported discrimination referred to negative comments from colleagues and superiors. This group also reported in high rates a negative impact on their mental health (61%), followed by adverse impact on their family (42%), finances (37%), career (30%) and physical health (13%).
While the sample of fathers and partners is only representative of those who chose to take the government-offered leave, rather than all working fathers, Broderick said: “The data reflects what I have heard about negative attitudes towards men taking parental leave or working flexibly to care for their children.While the sample of fathers and partners is only representative of those who chose to take the government-offered leave, rather than all working fathers, Broderick said: “The data reflects what I have heard about negative attitudes towards men taking parental leave or working flexibly to care for their children.
“The major conclusion we can draw from this data is that discrimination has a cost – to women, their families, to business and to the Australian economy and society as a whole.”“The major conclusion we can draw from this data is that discrimination has a cost – to women, their families, to business and to the Australian economy and society as a whole.”