Irish Medical Organisation

Equality Audit on Croke Park II

Equality Audit on Croke Park II finds proposals if passed will impact women disproportionately and could force them out of the workforce

Audit finds proposals will disproportionately disadvantage men and women who care for children and other family members

“Proposals herald a return to the central work model of the 1950’s”

Tuesday April 9th 2013. An Equality Audit carried out on behalf of Unions for a NO vote - four leading unions opposed to Croke Park II - has found that the proposed agreement could ultimately force women out of employment in the public service.

The Audit found that the additional hours and new restrictions on work sharing and flexible working arrangements contained in the proposals discriminate against women and would deepen gender inequality in the public service.

The Audit also found that the proposals discriminate against women and men who care for their children or have other caring responsibilities and as such discriminates against people on family status grounds.

The report was written by Niall Crowley, an independent equality expert, on behalf of Unions for a No vote. The group comprises the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, the Irish Medical Organisation, the Civil, Public and Services Union and Unite the union.

The unions have claimed that the proposed changes to work sharing, flexible working arrangements, re-deployment and continued head-count reductions in the public sector would disproportionately affect women workers especially those with families/caring responsibilities. The measures would similarly discriminate against men who have caring responsibilities.

The Audit notes that women are more likely than men to take up flexible working arrangements/work sharing to reconcile work family life. They are also more likely than men to work part time and job share. Eighty four per cent of health and social care professionals are female while 73% of those working in the education sector are women.

At a press briefing in Dublin today Mr Crowley said Croke Park II would have a disproportionate impact on women because they shoulder the bulk of caring responsibilities in the home, whether of children or friends or family members with long-term illness.
“Women are far more likely than men to take up flexible working arrangements to reconcile work and family life. Work-life conflict and time poverty will increase for these women and the proposals could serve as a push factor for them to leave the workplace” he said.

Mr Crowley pointed out that it would be a matter for the Equality Tribunal, the Labour Courts or the courts and even the European Commission to determine the legality or otherwise of this discrimination.

“In doing so they will have to keep in mind the European Court of Justice finding that discrimination can arise not only through the application of different rules to comparable situations, but by the application of the same rule to different situations. The data that has been gathered in this audit suggests that the latter is happening; the same rules are being applied to different situations.” Mr Crowley concluded.

Theresa Dwyer, Equality Officer with CPSU said; “In terms of work-sharing and flexible working hours these proposals herald a return to the old style hierarchal command and control Civil Service rather than the open participatory model that operates currently and has been encouraged by the State for many years. These schemes have worked well over the years for both managers and staff and a return to the central work model of the 50’s is a backwards step that will impact negatively on women”

Phil Ni Sheaghdha, INMO Director of Industrial Relations said: “The findings of this audit are a real concern as there are no demonstrative savings to be achieved from Croke Park II in the areas of restricting access to flexible working arrangements. The audit finds that based on the research available flexible working/work sharing arrangements actually enhance productivity which is the stated objective of Croke Park II. These measures make no sense and that’s why all workers should vote No”.

Taryn Trainor Womens and Equality Officer with Unite said; 'The Equality Audit details how the Government proposals will undermine the living standards of carers in society - the vast majority of whom are women. This will result in greater family stress and lead to many withdrawing from the workforce. The Government is turning back the clock on the role of women in the workplace and society.
 

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