International Practices International Practices of EEO Policies of EEO Policies

Promoted by Employers’ Promoted by Employers’ OrganisationsOrganisations

Anne KnowlesSenior Specialist in Employers’ ActivitiesInternational Labour Organisationknowles@ilo.org

AREAS OF EO INVOLVEMENTAREAS OF EO INVOLVEMENT

Awareness RaisingAdvocacyInteraction with PartnersResearchAssistance / Services to MembersEstablish Networks / MentoringLead by ExamplePublicityMainstreaming

Awareness RaisingAwareness Raising

European Union, International Labour Organisation and World Economic Forum concerned about position of women in Ukraine.Not necessarily a concern shared by community.WEF Global Gender Gap Reports show Ukraine going backwards. 2006 ranked 48, 2007 – 57, 2008 – 62, 2009 – 61, 2010 – 63 out of 132 countries.Four pillars

Economic Participation and OpportunityEducational AttainmentHealth and SurvivalPolitical Empowerment

Ukraine’s PositionUkraine’s Position

18 – Latvia34 – Moldova41 – Kazakhstan43 – Poland45 – Russian Federation51 - Kyrgyz Republic63 – Ukraine78 – Albania84 – Armenia89 - Tajikistan

A Key Issue for Employers and EOsA Key Issue for Employers and EOs

Strong business case for engagementWidest possible pool of talent to select employeesNon-discriminatory employment attracts better candidatesSelection process more credible when based on meritIf staffing is diverse, more diversity of experience and skillsPromotes a good public imageStrengthens employee morale and loyaltyReduced absenteeism and turnover.

AdvocacyAdvocacy

Engage in discussion on legislation and other equality measures.

Norwegian EO – against legislative requirements for quotas on company boards.Australia EO – works with Government and Education Ministry on gender-neutral curricula.Most EOs – Initiate voluntary actions amongst members to support stance that measures should not be imposed on employers as usually expensive, ineffective and unsuited to actual needs.Hungary EO – lobbied for reduced employer-funded maternity leave as disincentive to employ women.

Interaction with PartnersInteraction with Partners

Become members of national bodies responsible for gender issues.

Kenya EO – associated with activities of Human Rights Commission.New Zealand EO – established Equal Employment Opportunities Trust as joint initiative with Government

ResearchResearch

Conduct surveys and studies and disseminate information

Jamaica EO – undertaken research on sexual harassment and actions taken to combat it.Philippines EO – compiled best practices on work-life initiativesUnited States EO – compiled data on “soft” benefits of EEO policies – employee satisfaction, loyalty and morale -as well as absenteeism / turnover rates.Yemen EO – research on relations between businesswomen and the Yemini Chamber of Commerce.

Provide Assistance/ Services to MembersProvide Assistance/ Services to Members

Offer policy advice to membersDevelop voluntary Codes of Practice and other forms of voluntary commitment such as EEO policies and policies on sexual harassmentPrepare guidance materialsConduct training and seminars

Croatia EO – promotes participation of women in its Programme for Management DevelopmentPhilippines EO – developed a training course for women entrepreneursMost EOs – Entrepreneurship training and promotion

Establish NetworksEstablish Networks

Establish networks and mentoring programmes.

Norway EO – “Female Future” programme to help women make contacts and share experiences.New Zealand EO – Useful source of new ideas and identification of companies willing to participate in research / surveys.

Lead by Example Lead by Example

Take action to raise the profile of gender issues within EO itself

Most EOs – Develop EEO and sexual harassment policies for own use.Syria, Yemen, Montenegro EOs – established Businesswomen’s Committees in all branchesKenya EO – actively seeks women chief executives of companies to become members of its Management Board.Croatia EO – professional staff in everyday work with companies emphasise importance of nominating women to relevant bodies within EO.

PublicityPublicity

Publicise good practice of member companies.

Malaysia EO – monthly newsletter has report on equity issues.

Initiate awards for good practice in a range of areas.

New Zealand EO – Annual awards for best practices in work / life balance etc.

Report activities focusing on gender.Report on international studies regarding gender issues and relate to situation in country.

International PublicityInternational Publicity

ILO’s Bureau for Employers’ Activities and International Organisation of Employers published Employers’ Organisations Taking the Lead on Gender Equality.Case studies from 10 countries – Croatia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway. Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Beirut and Yemen.Special report to Governing Body of the ILO in November 2011.

Mainstream Gender IssuesMainstream Gender Issues

Key goal of Chief Executive of Ministry of Women’s Affairs (or similar) should be to put it out of business.Need to have focus on all aspects of a business’s operations, HR policies, strategies etc integrating gender / equity considerations as a matter of accepted, common practice.Until that happens, EOs have key role in keeping gender issues alive in all facets of their work.