Media Release

12/2/2001

National Committee PO Box 26040 Christchurch

EEO appointments unfair on dads, says NZ Father&Child Society president Philip Chapman

"The recently announced advisory group on Equal Employment Opportunities has good cross cultural representation from a wide range of interest groups" says Philip Chapman, President of the NZ Father and Child Society. "There is concern however that there are no male members appointed to the group. Research produced by the EEO Trust and publications from the Centre for Public Policy Evaluation have stressed the need for culture change in New Zealand workplaces. This includes the need to develop policies that facilitate the balancing of work and family life for fathers as well as mothers" notes Philip Chapman.

"In our community work with fathers we often come across examples of men being discriminated against in the workplace. This includes discrimination against older men and employers not giving fathers the same opportunities as mothers to balance their work and family lives" says Philip Chapman

"There is a mounting body of national and international research showing that discrimination in the workplace often cuts across gender lines. In their research, the EEO Trust argue that there is a need for fathers to speak out about their need to access such policies. The NZ Father and Child Society agrees with this point and sees men and fathers being left out of an influential policy advisory group which is addressing issues that are very important and highly relevant to them.

Without representation on such groups men and fathers are being denied an opportunity to speak out on policy issues that have a significant impact on them and their families. Their lack of representation on this group raises questions about the government's current perception of EEO issues which the NZ Father and Child Society believes needs to be addressed by such a body as the advisory group.

For further information: Philip Chapman, Nelson (03) 548 0403 Web Site: www.fatherandchild.org.nz National Coordinator, Christchurch (03) 388 8351

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