Government names and shames companies over treatment of female staff

A dozen organisations have been named and shamed by the Federal Government for failing to keep in line with laws and regulations regarding the treatment of women in the workplace.

The Equality Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency has updated its list of non-compliant companies, naming those which have failed to submit annual compliance reports.

The companies include major retail chain Rivers, Nowshire, Ross Cosmetics and Thomas Jewellers. The only new entry to the list is Tyrrell’s Vineyards, with the other 11 companies having been on the list previously, with 10 having been on the list for over four years.

The EOWA requires companies to establish programs to remove barriers to women entering their businesses, and submit reports annually detailing the company’s progress. Tough sanctions and ineligibility for Federal Government contracts are used as punishment for not lodging reports.

EOWA acting director Mairi Steele said in a statement the number of companies failing to lodge reports is disappointing.

“These reports are required by legislation. They provide the Agency with information and an understanding of the organisation’s policies and programs to further equal opportunities for women.”

“On the basis of that information the Agency can provide tailored advice, free of charge, to support and improve their equal opportunity programs. No organisation is perfect and unfortunately those on the list have chosen to flout the law rather than work with us to ensure their organisations are good places for women to work.”

But in its submission to Parliament this week, which included the list, the EOWA recommended new methods in order to increase the number of companies who remain compliant with regulations regarding the treatment of women in the workplace.

The submission references a 17% average difference between male and female earnings, with a massive 35.7% gap in Western Australia. The financial services industry contains a 35.7% gap.

Setting gender equality targets, a requirement for businesses to show progress against those targets and tougher sanctions for companies failing to comply with regulations were put forward as possible benchmarks.

Additional requirements include forcing businesses with more than 100 employees to report biannually on pay equity, with small businesses forced to submit reports on how much they pay women if requested by the department.

More rights to flexible work arrangements, portable long service leave schemes and further government assistance for employers to provide child care have also been recommended.

“Progress for women in Australian workplaces is at a standstill. Agency staff members are looking forward to the outcomes of the EOWA review and to the Government’s consideration of the Pay Equity Inquiry recommendations. We want to see more holistic and effective ways to improve the lives of working women,” Steele said.

Steele referenced an ongoing report by minister for the status of women Tanya Plibersek, which “may result in tough sanctions on organisations that refused to comply with the EOWW Act”.

The EOWA list of non-compliant companies:
A J Mills & Sons
Berri Hotel Incorporated
Charles Hull Contracting Co
Fashion Fair
J J Richards & Sons
Morgan’s Supa IGA
Nowshire
Rivers (Australia)
Ross Cosmetics Aust
Roverworth
Thomas Jewellers (Aust)
Tyrrell’s Vineyards

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