PMW: WorkWell Respect Network Application

Application Period: 5th February to 30th April 2024
Program Period: 13th May 2024 to January 2025

About the WorkWell Respect Network

The WorkWell Respect Network (WWRN) helps workplaces build a safer environment for all employees. Considering the needs of workers with intersectional identities, the WWRN supports Victorian workplaces in their ability to prevent and respond to gendered violence.

The WWRN is made up of four Industry Partners. Supported by the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victorian University, the WWRN Industry Partners host sub-network forums that represent their specific industries, as well as working together to create cross industry forums.

The Network's objectives are to:

Increase awareness and understanding of work-related gendered violence, including sexual harassment, as an occupational health and safety issue.
Ensure that workplaces are knowledgeable about and committed to fulfilling their responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in preventing and handling work-related gendered violence, including sexual harassment.
Influence workplace leaders to address the cultural and systemic factors that contribute to work-related gendered violence, including sexual harassment, in their organisations or industries.
Foster industry-wide discussions to encourage innovative and best-practice approaches for preventing and responding to work-related gendered violence, including sexual harassment.

Program Delivery Format:

Official Program Launch – introduction and welcome to the WorkWell Respect Network.
Forum 1: Be aware – what is gendered violence and what does it look like in an operational workplaces?
Forum 2: Respond, report and support – how to respond to reports and disclosures of gendered violence appropriately, create effective reporting frameworks and empower your team members with knowledge and resources.
Forum 3: Cross industry forum: a collaboration with the National Association of women in Operations (NAWO).
Forum 4: Prevention – setting holistic frameworks for prevention of gendered violence in operations. This includes ensuring organisational frameworks to support a culture of prevention, alongside the development of effective policy and practice.
Closing celebration

Program Key dates:

WorkWell Respect Network Launch - Mon 13th May 2024
1st industry forum - Thursday 27th June 2024
2nd industry forum - Thursday 18th July 2024
3rd industry forum - Thursday 5th September 2024
4rd industry forum - Thursday 14th November 2024
Awards Ceremony - early 2025

Tools and Template: Led by industry experts, tailor templates for reporting, responding and adapting policies that you can implement in your workplace.

Networking opportunity: The perfect opportunity to meet other colleagues and industry leaders, and discuss the intersecting challenges that are unique to your industry.

Selection Criteria: We seek organisational leaders or individuals in influential positions capable of shaping safety practices within their workplaces in the Financial Services Sector. This includes managers, team leaders, HR, OD and OHS team members.

Successful applicants will be contacted in the coming weeks to proceed with the next steps. Please note that spaces are limited and early applicants will have more opportunities to succeed.

Program Fees: this program is funded by WorkSafe Victoria and is free of charge to participants, subject to successful application.

Your Commitment

Participation in the WWRN is by application. If you’re accepted into the Network the expectation is that you attend all Forums. Forums will run in the mornings, be approximately two hours long, in person in Melbourne’s CBD.

Thank you for your interest and commitment to fostering a safe work environment.