Committed to promoting equal rights for women
Prospect is committed to fighting for equality of opportunity for women both in the workplace and within society generally. We believe in a better working life for women.
Equal pay
Despite years of legislation promoting equal pay, there remains a pay gap of 18% between women and men working full-time. Prospect continues to campaign to close this pay gap. We have a network of equal pay representatives who strive to ensure that pay systems operate fairly and that equal pay reviews are conducted on a regular basis.
Career development
Prospect campaigns to ensure that women are equally able to progress their careers by: pressing for an end to stereotyped attitudes in the workplace; the introduction of impartial job appraisal schemes; fair and open promotion opportunities. We also promote a charter for women working in science, engineering and technology (SET) occupations.
Work-life balance
We recognise that it continues to be mainly women who struggle to meet the demands of work and home responsibilities. We therefore press employers to introduce comprehensive work-life balance policies which should cover:
- flexible working arrangements, including career breaks
- part-time working and job sharing opportunities
- enhanced maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave
- assistance with childcare and elder care.
Harassment and discrimination
Prospect believes that everyone has the right to work in an environment free from harassment and discrimination. We seek to ensure that all workplaces have clear policies and procedures on these issues. We will provide help and advice for members if they are experiencing harassment or discrimination at work.
Networking
Prospect encourages participation of women members at all levels of the union. We can provide specialist training for our women members and we facilitate two networks:
Womanet: keeps Prospect women members in touch with each other, provides advice and support, and enables the union to draw upon members' experiences.
Wisenet: Prospect's Women in Science and Engineering network campaigns to keep women's needs on the SET agenda and serves as a contact for women scientists and engineers in Prospect.
Visit the main equalities page for the terms of reference for these two networks.
Domestic Violence: a guide for the workplace
This guide has been produced by the TUC and is aimed at union reps and employers who need advice on dealing with the impact of domestic violence in the workplace. It includes facts and figures about the prevalence of this crime, case studies, and advice on drawing up a workplace policy to address the key issues of support, referral, and confidentiality.
Pulling the punches: defeating domestic violence by Luke Daniels
This is the first book addressed specifically to perpetrators of domestic violence who want to stop the violence, but survivors will find much in it that gives them power in the abusive relationship and offers hints for their safety.
Breast Cancer Care's Guide to Best Practice in the Workplace
Breast Cancer Care has launched a campaign called EMPLOY aimed at supporting employers and employees and providing best practice for the workplace. The resources includes a policy briefing, and guidance for employers, as well as a number of other resources to support a member of staff with breast cancer. All these resources can be downloaded from Breast Cancer Care's employ campaign website
Women's Asylum Charter
Prospect has endorsed this Charter which is an initiative set up by the Refugee Women's Resource Project at Asylum Aid. It is a framework of principles aimed at persuading the UK Border Agency to take both a strategic approach to the needs of women seeking asylum and to put in place the operational procedures and safeguards that will remove the discriminatory barriers they face. Further information about the Charter can be found at the Asylum Aid website.
Links
WISE - Women into Science and Engineering - campaigns to encourage more girls and women to consider careers in science and engineering.
UK Resource Centre for women in science, engineering and technology. The Government’s lead organisation for the provision of advice, services and policy consultation regarding the under-representation of women in science, engineering, technology and the built environment (SET).
The work of the previous Equal Opportunities Commission, to eliminate sex discrimination and oversee implementation of the Sex Discrimination Act and Equal Pay Act, has now been taken over by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.