The Andrews Labor Government will bring together key businesses leaders, decision-makers and influencers from across Victoria to tackle gender pay inequity at a landmark conference next month.

The Minister for Industrial Relations and the Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins today announced details of the Women@Work Conference – a forum that will help Victorian businesses tackle the gender pay gap.

The most recent studies and data shows that women are under-represented in senior roles, suffer most from a lack of workplace flexibility and carry a disproportionate share of unpaid caring and domestic work.

Women@Work is about changing that – bringing together bright, influential Victorians to champion gender equity and equal pay, as well as providing practical advice, particularly around family violence leave, flexible work, and workplace respect.

It will also provide the information necessary for small businesses and organisations to improve workplace equality.

Conference participants will be given training and information on how gender pay gaps develop, how to conduct a gender pay audit, how to implement flexible work arrangements and employer OHS obligations in relation to sexual harassment.

Throughout the conference, employers and employees will share their experiences of the gender pay gap, success stories in closing it, and initiatives that can be taken to resolve the problem.

The conference will be held on 21 March at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) at Federation Square.

For more information visit connection.vic.gov.au/womenatwork

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relation and Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins

“This landmark conference will bring together key decision makers to tackle gender inequality in the workplace head on.”

“It will provide practical tools and advice for Victorian businesses to creating fairer and more inclusive workplaces for women.”

“It’s part of our ongoing work to create more equal workplaces, and a more equal Victoria.”