Gender Equality, Domestic Violence and Work: Setting a Workplace Agenda

Join us for a series of engaging talks and roundtable discussions on ways that business can address domestic violence and workplace gender inequality.

Domestic violence is internationally recognised as a widespread, devastating social issue underpinned by gender inequality. The industrial response to domestic violence remains in its infancy globally and international standards have yet to be widely adopted and implemented. Workplaces are increasingly recognised as having a vital role in supporting those impacted by violence and offering important industrial protections. While over the last decade, there have been important advancements led by activists, trade unions, policymakers and employers to progress novel industrial and policy protections for those workers experiencing domestic violence, this necessary work continues.

This collaborative Symposium will bring together local and international speakers from academia, industry and trade unions to present new research and discuss a workplace agenda for addressing domestic violence. The Symposium will also coincide with the upcoming release of a forthcoming special issue of the Labour & Industry journal on this topic. A deliberative forum will follow the presentations, where speakers and participants will be invited to discuss ways that business can better address domestic violence and workplace gender inequality.

Topics to be discussed at the Symposium include:

• Recent developments on workplace domestic violence policy and provisions
• Regulatory approaches to addressing the impact of domestic violence in the workplace
• Organisational responses for addressing domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic
• The advocacy of trade unions in enshrining industrial protections
• Practical recommendations for how employers can support employees experiencing domestic violence

Speakers

• Dr Anne Summers AO, Professor, UTS Business School (Keynote Address)
• Dr Rachel Williamson, Senior Trainer and Policy Advisor (SHINE) and Academic
• Mira Taitz, DVFREE Programme Lead and Senior Trainer (SHINE)
• Dr Kate Farhall, Honorary Research Fellow at RMIT Centre for People, Organisation and Work
• Dr Ruth Weatherall, Lecturer, UTS Business School
• Susan Ellicott, recent Master of Philosophy graduate and guest lecturer, University of Sydney
• Lisa Heap, Doctoral Researcher, Graduate School of Business and Law, RMIT University
• Wil Stracke, Assistant Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC)
• Angela Budai, National Policy Officer, Finance Sector Union of Australia
• Renata Field, Manager - Policy, Advocacy and Research, Domestic Violence NSW
• Dixie Link-Gordon, Chairperson, Aboriginal Women Advisory Network 
  
• Melanie Greblo, Founder and CEO, Scriibed and Banksia Academy

A full program will be circulated shortly.

Travel Grants

A limited number of grants are available for Higher Degree Research students and Early Career Researchers to cover travel expenses to attend the symposium. For more information and to apply, please contact Dr Mihajla Gavin at mihajla.gavin@uts.edu.au

Delivery

This Symposium will be delivered in hybrid mode. Guests are welcome to join at UTS Business School (Building 8, Chau Chak Wing Building, Level 3, CB08.03.002) in Sydney or via Zoom.

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided for guests in attendance. Please advise of any dietary requirements.

Funding Acknowledgement

This event has been organised with the support of funding from the Association of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand (AIRAANZ).