Home Property Australia MCC release new report We Set the Tone Eliminating Everyday Sexism

MCC release new report We Set the Tone Eliminating Everyday Sexism

  • November 02, 2017

MCC release new report: We Set the Tone: Eliminating Everyday Sexism

 

The Male Champions of Change have released a new report “We Set the Tone: Eliminating Everyday Sexism” which aims to assist workplaces eliminate everyday sexism.

 The Male Champions of Change coalition led a consultation process that covered more than 6,000 employees across a range of sectors in order to understand what everyday sexism looks like.

 The report outlines how every day sexism impacts employees, career advancement and productivity and provide actions that can be taken to address negative and harmful workplace dynamics.

 The report found there are six common manifestations of everyday sexism which include:

1.      Insults masquerading as jokes – The most frequently encountered form of everyday sexism, experienced by both genders, consists of sexist remarks or jokes.

2.      Devaluing women’s views or voice – Many women experience men interrupting or talking over them, men explaining things to them as if they have no prior skills or knowledge, when they do.

3.      Role stereotyping – Assumptions are made about suitability for roles and tasks on the basis of gender.

4.      Preoccupation with physical appearance – Comments made about body shape, size, physical characteristics or dress over skill and competence are frequent

5.      Assumptions that caring and careers don’t mix – Both women and men encounter gendered assumptions about parenting roles.

6.      Unwarranted gender labelling – Women are often described as being too bossy or not assertive enough or on the other hand, too ’emotional’ or ‘nice’.

The report details a range of case studies of what different workplaces are doing to eradicate sexism and offers steps for organisations to use themselves.

 “As leaders we have a responsibility to set the tone for what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour within our organisations,” says Medibank CEO Craig Drummond.

 “A culture that does not hold people to account on every sexism is not a healthy one. Australian businesses need to look at themselves with a more critical eye and ask themselves if they are enabling the wrong behaviours.” Mr Drummond said.

 To view the report please click here.