Foreword

The National Conversation about Work belongs to all of the employees, employers, agencies, community groups, mayors and politicians who helped the Human Rights Commission with the project over the past two years.

It was more than just talk. The National Conversation about Work represents the views of thousands of New Zealanders working in a wide variety of industry sectors in cities, provinces and rural communities. They’ve spoken about what constitutes good work and what makes for decent workplaces. They’ve identified how work can be improved to increase productivity and profitability and at the same time enhance family life, and community well-being.

The Commission visited the 16 regions of New Zealand at a time of dramatic labour market change as the economic recession took hold. The emotion and pain associated with redundancy and unemployment, as well as the resilience of employers and communities in facing new market challenges, was evident in many workplaces.

The Commission has taken all of the material gathered in regional reports to produce this summary called What next? National Conversation about Work. It reveals the top ten priority issues for equal employment opportunities (EEO) in New Zealand, develops recommendations for action and identifies twelve examples of good ideas and best practice in the section, Making equality work. All of the material will be used by the Human Rights Commission to develop a new Equality at Work framework over the next year, aimed at changing legislation, policy and practice to progress equal employment opportunities.

Thank you for sharing your insights with us. We’re keen to get your feedback on the recommendations and priorities for action. Please email me at judym@hrc.co.nz

 

Dr Judy McGregor
EEO Commissioner