http://hdl.handle.net/2328/26042 Sun, 19 May 2013 13:18:00 GMT 2013-05-19T13:18:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2328/26126 Title: Hope Versus Experience: Career Ambition and the Labour Market Expectations of University Educated Women Authors: Murray, J. Abstract: Studies that consider the position of women in the Australian labour market have consistently demonstrated evidence of unequal outcomes between men and women. A number of structural and behavioural explanations have been advanced for the continued existence of this gender inequality. This article contributes to the supply-side debate with a study of the labour market expectations of women. Questions about labour market expectations are pursued through the in-depth analysis of 29 interviews with women drawn from three purposively identified life situations: single undergraduates, single graduates and coupled parents. The findings demonstrate that undergraduate and graduate women in the sample expect to build and pursue successful careers, while also demonstrating an awareness of potential demand-side constraints to their participation in the labour market. The expectations of the undergraduate and graduate women accord with the lived experience of the mothers in the sample. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2328/26126 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2328/26125 Title: Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave and the Emergence of 'Equality Bargaining' in Australia: an Analysis of Enterprise Agreements, 2003-2007 Authors: Baird, M; Frino, B; Williamson, S Abstract: Using current enterprise agreement data, this paper evaluates outcomes for paid maternity and paternity leave in Australia and considers the presence of 'equality bargaining' in Australia. We find that the incidence of paid maternity leave clauses in bargained agreements is higher than in previous years and is higher still than the incidence of paid paternity leave clauses, although neither is widespread. Further, we note the existence of a new bargaining norm for paid maternity leave of 14 weeks, distinct sectoral patterns in paid maternity and paternity leave clauses and the possible emergence of an equality bargaining agenda. On the eve of the introduction of a national leave paid parental leave scheme, the results presented in this paper provide a benchmark for future comparison and evaluation. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2328/26125 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2328/26124 Title: Gender Pay Equity Reform in Australia: What is the Way Forward? Authors: Smith, M Abstract: Pay equity reform in Australia has occurred in three stages. The first comprised the adoption of equal pay principles in 1969 and 1972. The second involved a legislative entitlement to equal remuneration, introduced in 1993 and retained by the Workplace Relations Act 1996. Despite the existence of such legislative provisions, they remain under-utilised. The third stage involved the development of new equal remuneration principles at a state level. These principles represented an advance for women employed in some spheres, as they elevated undervaluation, as opposed to discrimination, as a key litmus test in assessing claims for equal remuneration. The Work Choices amendments excluded specifically these initiatives while at the same time maintaining a nominal entitlement to equal remuneration. This pattern of gender pay equity reform has important consequences for the recasting of federal labour law, specifically if the available institutional measures are to enable aggregate and collective remedies. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2328/26124 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2328/26123 Title: Women, Work and Welfare in the Activation State: an Agenda for Australian Research Authors: Cortis, N.; Meagher, G. Abstract: Welfare-to-work programs are now enduring features of Australia's labour market and social policy landscape. Over two decades, both Labor and Liberal governments have progressively tightened the conditionality of income support, extending principles of mutual obligation to new groups of working age recipients. This article is concerned with legislation that came into effect in 2006 requiring sole parents who receive income support to enter the labour market when their youngest children reach school age. This policy has practical implications for the character and dynamic of the labour market, and for caregiving, family wellbeing and women's autonomy. After outlining recent Australian reforms, we examine how comparable overseas reforms have impacted on the independence and wellbeing of vulnerable, low income women; and use emerging themes to outline an agenda to guide the next phase of Australian welfare to work research. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2328/26123 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z