Gender Inclusive Job Evaluation Standard draft available

 

 

June 14 2006

 

The public has seven weeks to comment on a new Gender Inclusive Job Evaluation Standard being developed by Standards New Zealand. The Standard aims to promote equal pay, more equal employment opportunities, and fair treatment of all employees.

 

“The Standard is an international first,” says Standards development committee chair, Susan Biggs, from the Human Rights Commission.  “It provides consistent ‘good practice’ guidelines for all to follow, which aim to eliminate gender bias in job evaluation processes.”

 

Job evaluation is an analytical tool designed to understand issues such as job demands and contributions, employment relationships, pay and recruitment.  Ms Biggs says gender bias occurs when job evaluation processes are not well-planned or well-documented, and the outcomes are not checked for gender bias. 

 

“Gendered assumptions relating to the nature and value of different types of work can cause gender bias in the work place,” she says.  “Other causes are pay processes, work patterns and general societal attitudes.  Even certain job titles, such as ‘secretary’ as opposed to ‘administrator’, can contribute to gendered bias.” 

 

The Standard will stipulate guidelines around how to avoid gender bias, and how to ensure transparency, good communication, careful documentation, and ongoing monitoring during job evaluation processes.  It will ensure job evaluations are based on good information and fair assessments of specific jobs.

 

The public is being encouraged to comment on the draft Standard. The deadline date is Wednesday, August 2.

 

Comment on the draft Gender Inclusive Job Evaluation Standard