Workplace Equality and Respect video
Summary
A two-minute video that outlines the powerful role workplaces can play in preventing violence against women.
The video is an animation.
[A male CEO holds a document titled “Workplace Equality and Respect”. The CEO walks out of his office towards three of his employees, two men and a woman, who are at work in their cubicles.]Male narrating voice:
Take a look around. Do you think your workplace has gender equality and promotes respect towards women? Unfortunately, gender inequality and disrespect towards women exist in all kinds of workplaces and there are many ways these issues can show up at work.
[The animation splits into five parts to show an office, a hospital, a construction site, a factory and a café. The animation focuses on the hospital, where two men - one doctor and one nurse - laugh at a joke about women. They don’t realise it, but two female colleagues - another doctor and nurse - overhear it.]
You know those sexist jokes some people laugh at? Well, they’re harmful because they downplay or justify disrespect towards women.
[The animation shows a video conference of a group of six people, two women and four men. A woman is leading the discussion. Her title reads ‘Lena – Project Lead’. All the people in the call are paying attention to what she’s saying, but one man seems aggravated and keeps shaking his head. He interrupts Lena, talking over her.]
Some organisations have rigid ideas of women’s roles in the workplace. When women challenge these rigid ideas, they may face harassment, verbal abuse or be excluded from decision-making.
[The animation shows a construction site where a male, senior construction manager, and a female worker, are walking towards the construction site office.]
Everyone – from the leadership team to junior staff – has the power to promote gender equality and model respect.
[The animation shows text: “Workplace Equality and Respect Standard: Commitment”.]
The first big step is commitment. It’s essential to have leaders committed to changing the culture within your workplace.
[The animation shows the construction site office, where the senior construction manager is presenting to a group of three construction workers. On a whiteboard, there’s text that reads “How to make our worksite more inclusive”.]
[The animation then shows text: “Workplace Equality and Respect Standard: Conditions”.]
Next is providing equal conditions in your workforce. It’s important to spot disparities between women’s and men’s conditions. Equal pay for equal work is a good start.
[The animation shows a female office worker looking at her computer. She skims through a finance spreadsheet containing the salaries of employees in her company. The top row of the spreadsheet reads “Ruben - Director” with three dollar signs and the second row reads “Minh - Director” with only two dollar signs. She adds a question mark in the second row and types “Gender Pay Gap Review” in the next column.]
[The animation then shows text: “Workplace Equality and Respect Standard: Culture”.]
Now consider your workplace culture. We all need to make sure everyone feels safe and respected at work.
[The animation shows a factory where a male supervisor is telling off a younger female worker. Two coworkers step in to support the female worker.]
[The animation then shows text: “Workplace Equality and Respect Standard: Support”.]
The next step is Support. Your workplace needs to be prepared to respond appropriately if something happens.
[The animation shows a boardroom with a group of board directors discussing work at the factory. Text on the whiteboard reads, “Board Meeting: Discussion on staff complaints in our factory”. A list on the whiteboard reads: “Bullying and harassment” and “Sexual harassment”.]
[The animation then shows text: “Workplace Equality and Respect Standard: Core business”.]
Finally, your workplace should aim to model equality and respect in all interactions with clients, customers, and stakeholders. Every conversation, policy and action is important.
[The animation shows a cafe where staff members are interacting with customers. Then the animation splits into five parts: A woman looks at a finance spreadsheet in an office; there's a female doctor at a hospital; a male senior construction manager at a construction site; a man presenting at the board meeting in the factory; and a female server from the cafe.]
Addressing gender inequality and disrespect will help us create workplaces that are free from harassment and discrimination. It’s up to all of us to promote inclusive cultures in our organisations. Adopt Our Watch's Workplace Equality and Respect Standards today.
[The animation shows text: For tools and guides visit workplace.ourwatch.org.au. Our Watch logo with the tagline “End violence against women and their children”. Below the logo, text reads “This video was voiced by Nikita Chawla’s brother and Our Watch ambassador, Tarang Chawla”.]
