The Victorian Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Commission has launched an investigation into the barriers facing small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in achieving gender pay equity.
The Commission said equal pay for equal work was an important foundation of a fair, equitable and inclusive workforce.
“But we know the gender pay gap still affects many workers in Victoria,” the Commission said.
“And now, more than ever, there is a potential for a further widening of the gender pay gap,” it said.
“If you work for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME), in the arts, financial services or healthcare and social assistance sectors, we want to hear from you.”
The Commission said it would work with Industrial Relations Victoria and facilitate in-depth telephone interviews with SMEs through June and July.
“COVID-19 presents significant challenges for SMEs including supply-chain disruption, asset write-off, business closures and shutdowns,” it said.
“The information gained via the in-depth telephone interviews will inform the development of future education and training to support SMEs to achieve gender pay equity.”
The Commission said it wanted to know what worked for workplaces and how it could support SMEs needs at this unprecedented time.
It said incentive payments would be provided for participants, and all data collected would be de-identified.
