Oz men eye women’s family friendly work rights
By ANIMonday, February 22, 2010
MELBOURNE - Australian government officials are working on bringing out changes to discrimination laws that would offer men the same rights to family-friendly work arrangements as women.
Authorities apparently believe anti-discrimination laws and equal opportunity laws have prevented men from taking on a greater role in carrying out responsibilities at home.
“A lot of the solutions for women involve men as well. It’s not just a women’s issue,” The Age quoted a senior government source as saying.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick said more men being able to work part time or flexible hours could also bring about an “attitudinal change”.
She said: “Flexible work is seen as a work practice for women with young children and a poor relation to real work, which is full-time work. ‘Men working differently is what’s going to bring about attitudinal change in workplaces.”
The proposal may help improve the stalling women’s equality in he workplace, one senior source agreed
The source said: “Pay would be better for women if men could do it too [work part-time].”
Tanya Plibersek, a spokesman for the Minister for Women, said the review of equal opportunity laws was still under consideration. (ANI)
