Human Rights Commission launches National Conversation about Work
Thu 5 Feb 2009National Conversation about Work
People all over New Zealand will have the chance to have their say about fairness at work through the Human Rights Commission’s National Conversation about Work, which has just hit the road and which has a new website. The National Conversation will provide practical advice and guidance for employers nation-wide, and the chance for employees to say what would make a difference for them in terms of more equal opportunities at work. To make sure everyone has a chance to participate, the Commission will visit a diverse range of New Zealanders where they work. We want workers and employers to get involved.
What’s the National Conversation about?
Think glaciers, think tortoises, think of a child waiting for Christmas. Whatever works best for you, there’s little doubt that progress towards true equal opportunity for everyone in the workplace has been moving slowly – and the Human Rights Commission want to rev that progress up a notch or two. The Equal Employment Opportunities team is hitting the road to talk to New Zealanders about what would create greater fairness for them at work, and to give advice and guidance to employers in what’s termed a National Conversation.
“We want to get people’s buy-in, to listen to their points of view, and to know what are the issues on the ground for both business and working people – what would make a difference for them in terms of getting a fairer go at work?” says EEO Commissioner Judy McGregor. The information will be used to promote new workplace policies and practices. We’ll be in all 16 regions in New Zealand during the next 18 months to ensure that people who would like to meet us face-to-face have the chance to do so.”
Some issues around fairness at work are common to every workplace, while others vary from region to region, depending on the age profile and economics of that area.
Young people’s difficulties, for example, differ between industries, and may be less critical in Wellington than in South Auckland, where there is a higher proportion of young people. And in rural areas, there is likely to be less access to childcare, making that an important issue for families.
Australia’s EEO Commissioner had conducted a national tour to discuss with Australians what they thought about EEO issues and the Commission talked to its Australian counterpart about what they had learned.
“The National Conversation is about both listening and talking, we want to allow room for new ideas to come forward” says Principal EEO Advisor, Sue O’Shea. Our resources are limited so we have decided to target those groups who are all too often invisible.”
Young families, people from low paid groups (like cleaners), Maori, business, disability groups, migrant workers, women’s groups that focus on employment, sustainable businesses and regional employers will be the special focus of the National Conversation. In each region, the Commission will aim to meet with employees and employers from at least one key industry. By the end of the Conversations, we expect to have gathered some clear, effective ideas for moving forward on EEO, helped employers with EEO advice and guidance and be ready to propose new solutions to workplace inequality”, said the EEO Commissioner.
How to join the National Conversation
A new website, www.haveyoursayaboutwork.org.nz will link you in directly to the National Conversation. You can also link to it through the Human Rights Commission's website: www.hrc.co.nz or through the NEON website: www.neon.org.nz
We’re trying to make it as easy as possible for you to get involved, no matter where you are. There are a number of ways you could join in:
• Check the above website to see when we’ll be near you, and come to a meeting – we want to talk with you.
• You can email us to invite us to meet with you and your group or business when we’re in your area. We’re keen to hear from you and will factor in meetings wherever possible. Contact emilias@hrc.co.nz
• Send us a letter with your thoughts and ideas, to: The National Conversation, Human Rights Commission, PO Box 12 411, Wellington.
• The website invites you to have your say – and we mean it! Just look for the ‘have your say’ section.
• You can also add to or comment on others’ blogs on the website
• Those with a policy bent (otherwise fondly known as policy wonks) can click here to check out a discussion paper looking at different institutional and legal arrangements for EEO around the world.
• Check out the 12-minute video on the www.haveyoursayaboutwork.org.nz website.