The findings of the report by Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, into the sexist culture in Parliament House are possibly even worse than most outsiders could have imagined. It seems that many staffers and particularly young women live and work in a state of apprehension and sometimes of downright fear that ordinary workplace interaction could …
Workplace incivility is on the rise and employers need to take note. Aligned with this, Symmetra is experiencing an increase in requests to address it. Workplace incivility does not generally consist of yelling and like behaviour. It is defined as “low intensity deviant behaviour with ambiguous intent to harm the target in violation of workplace norms for …
As we come to the end of October 2021, Symmetra can mark together with our many LGBTIQ friends and colleagues, the passing of a noteworthy month celebrating the achievements of those who belong to this community. The observance was first suggested by a Missouri school teacher in 1994 . The idea of a month-long tribute …
Diversity has just breached another long-standing and socially destructive barrier. This time it is a famous Comic-book publication which has cast aside the notion that only white alpha males can be seen as heroes. The son of Superman, Jonathan Kent, himself a superhero, is portrayed in an openly gay relationship. Increasingly books, toys, movies and …
We at Symmetra have always urged our clients to accept the proposition that diversity, equity and inclusion are strategic imperatives. It can no longer be just a useful PR marketing tool or a sometimes beneficial add-on to corporate social responsibility. All our successful global clients have unreservedly taken this principle on board. However, as we …
Work culture cannot and will not be the same after COVID-19. It is a truism that is almost universally acknowledged. The question is: precisely how has it changed and what do organisations need to do to meet the new challenges? Several important answers are provided by the O.C. Tanner Institute, which has just released its …
Same-sex marriage is becoming the new norm in many areas of the world and accepted as something barely evoking any exceptional commentary. Symmetra lauds this progress as this indeed is to be welcomed. Citizens of Switzerland have just voted by a 64.1 per cent majority to legalise same sex marriage. Supporters of the forthcoming legislation say …
Recently a Symmetra post commented on “The Great Resignation” – a flood of employees leaving to seek greener pastures as the pandemic starts to ease. So how can organisations counteract this outflow which is clearly a result of long built-up dissatisfaction and disillusionment? What is it about an organisation which makes employees engaged, committed, loyal and …
Can we rely on scientific training to eliminate or at least reduce poor decisions resulting from unconscious bias? Apparently not. As our understanding of unconscious bias increases and deepens, we are learning two important things: firstly, that these biases intrude into areas that we might imagine as being insulated; secondly, we are understanding which sorts …
What happens when diverse and inclusive organisations decide on mandatory vaccinations for their workplace? Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for employees is being adopted daily by more and more public sector agencies and private sector organisations. What should the approach be for an organisation which espouses diversity and inclusion but whose leadership considers that mandatory vaccination is …