Under the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (the Act), employees and employee organisations can comment on an employer's Gender Equality Report lodged with WGEA.
In the first instance, comments on an employer’s report should be made directly to the employer. This will enable the employer to deal with any errors or inaccuracies.
Who can make a comment to WGEA?
Employees and employee organisations with members in an employer’s workplace can comment to the employer, or to WGEA, on an employer’s Gender Equality Report. Employers should provide advice to employees about the best way to provide comments.
What must comments relate to?
WGEA can only deal with matters that relate directly to an employer’s Gender Equality Report lodged with WGEA.
If you have a complaint relating to an individual case of discrimination or a similar matter, there are other agencies that can help you – for example, the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Human Rights Commission.
WGEA does not adjudicate or mediate any individual cases relating to discrimination or workplace disputes regarding gender.
How will WGEA address comments?
WGEA will consider the following two criteria when determining how to address a comment:
- the relevance of the comment to the employer’s Gender Equality Report
- the likelihood that WGEA’s response to the comment will result in improved accuracy or completeness of the report, and to what degree.
When can comments be made?
There is no time restriction on when comments can be provided. However:
- comments made to an employer within 28 days of lodgement may be considered by the employer in deciding if the report needs amending
- comments made to WGEA within 28 days of lodgement may be considered in deciding whether to request additional information from the employer as part of assessing compliance.
How to make a comment?
Please make comments via the Contact WGEA form.
On the form, under the 'Type' dropdown menu, select 'I want to comment on a report'. WGEA will not respond to comments individually, other than to send an automatic reply when your email is received.
Please consider whether your comment relates directly to your employer’s report or whether you have an issue that needs to be dealt with by an agency such as the Fair Work Ombudsman or the Australian Human Rights Commission.
What will happen to comments sent to WGEA?
WGEA will take one or more of the following actions:
- Take comments into account when requesting additional information from the employer.
- Take comments into account when determining whether to conduct a review of the relevant employer’s compliance.
- Decide to take no further action.
Will my details be kept confidential?
All personal information submitted on the Contact WGEA form will be kept strictly confidential.