Bosses urged to stamp out sexism

AUSTRALIAN bosses are being urged to usher in a workplace revolution to stamp out everyday sexism, which a landmark report claims continues to undermine and victimise women.

Leaders are being challenged to crack down on crude, cruel and thoughtless acts and strategies have been suggested for them to follow.

The new report suggests employers should no longer laugh at sexist jokes, should speak up when women workers are spoken over by men and should stop discussion about workers’ appearances.

The report, released today by the Male Champions of Change, a group of high-powered male executives working with Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, finds that everyday sexism takes six main forms – insults that masquerade as jokes; devaluing women’s views; role stereotyping; preoccupation with physical appearance; assumptions about carers; labelling based on gender.

In relation to jokes, leaders are urged not to “validate humour that is explicitly or implicitly sexist or offensive by laughing, staying silent, or making excuses”.

The report, entitled We Set the Tone: Eliminating Everyday Sexism, finds the cumulative effect can be extremely damaging: “It’s rarely raised, as it is often considered the little things – too small to make a fuss about, or for fear of damaging reputations or relationships”.