How Programmed is in pursuit of gender equality in pay and jobs.
Over recent decades, Australia has made significant progress towards gender equality, but the gender pay gap is still prevalent as women continue to earn less than men. And it’s not just in pay where there is a disparity. Typically, women’s careers don’t advance as far, and they, therefore, accumulate less retirement or superannuation savings.
According to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency ‘Workplace gender equality is achieved when people are able to access and enjoy the same rewards, resources and opportunities regardless of gender.’
One significant factor as to why the gender pay gap exists is due to the majority of highly paid jobs falling under occupations such as trades, engineering, and IT; which are mainly performed by men.
Young girls, who are predominantly shaped by their parents, teachers and society, often don’t choose to undertake many of these occupations which can offer higher pay and greater flexibility during our working life due to those external social and cultural norms. This leads us to the current situation where women on average earn 23 per cent less than men, have little savings for retirement, and can find themselves stuck in a dysfunctional relationship due to a lack of financial independence.
Programmed is 100 per cent committed to the pursuit of gender equality, both in pay and jobs. The diversity of our people is one of our great strengths.
We recognise the value of attracting, engaging and retaining employees with different backgrounds, experience and perspectives.
Programmed Managing Director Chris Sutherland, stated that “As a business, this means that we are recruiting the best people into our team from the entire population, not just 50 per cent of it.
We also know that a diverse team makes better decisions, he said”.
As a company, we are devoted to altering the current gendered reality, however, to achieve our goal we need to drive further change across society.
“It’s the things we say and do that make young girls believe these great jobs are only for boys. We must change our own behaviours and improve the actions of others so that girls consider and potentially take on careers like a painter, electrician or a systems engineer; just like girls can play AFL.”
Programmed created the It’s up to you’ campaign to show young girls, and boys, that although there may be ongoing social norms and practises that can define and shape your future, however, in the end – it’s up to you!
http:/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLIG52i1mko&feature=youtu.be
Programmed is a leading Staffing and Maintenance organisation, providing staffing, professional, technical, training and maintenance services across Australia and New Zealand with more than 20,000 employees supporting industry.
