Getting on at Work: Progression and Promotion of Women with Disability in the Victorian Public Service
Authors: Williams Janine , Khan Maria Hameed , Mayes Robyn , Obst Trish , Lowe Benjamin 
Published: July 2023

Overview of the Project Gender inclusivity and equal employment opportunities are key priorities for the Victorian Government. The Gender Equality Act 2020 (the Act) commenced in March 2021 and laid the foundation to improve workplace gender equality in the Victorian public sector. The legislation requires Victorian public sector entities to explicitly address intersecting forms of inequality and disadvantage. The research project aimed to centre the voices of women with disability to provide evidence-based insights into the enablers, barriers and inclusive practices shaping their career progression and promotion in the Victorian Public Service. The research team reviewed scholarly literature, analysed data extracts from the People Matter Survey (2021) and interviewed 49 women with disability from across the Victorian Public Service. Summary of Key Findings People Matter Survey Data 2021 Analysis of the People Matter Survey 2021 data extracts identified statistically significant insights. People who identified as having a disability analysed by gender identity indicated that: ● women and people who identified as non-binary and ‘other’ reported having a disability more often than men. ● women were more likely to use one or more flexible work arrangements. ● more requests for workplace adjustments were made by women, non-binary or ‘other’ gender identities and disability was often identified as a reason for requesting workplace adjustments. ● women and men reported low perceptions of workplace culture related to disability. This was significantly lower for respondents who identified as non-binary, ‘other’ or who preferred not to state their gender. Research Interviews with Women with Disability Interviews with women with disability identified three career patterns. Firstly, broadly inclusive, and positive career experiences. Secondly, broadly non-inclusive career experiences which led participants to feel unsure they had a future career in the VPS. Thirdly, most participants experienced a range of inclusive and non-inclusive career experiences which varied depending on the VPS employer or team in which they were employed. Overall, participants highlighted a desire for: ● the VPS to move forward with more consistency in how it enables the careers of women with disability across all roles and levels of seniority. ● the VPS to move away from putting women with disability in the ‘too hard basket’ towards developing a culture where disability inclusion is characterised by relationships and interactions that reflect ‘respect’ and ‘trust’. Eight themes draw together insights from the interviews with women with disability and identify experiences of the VPS workplace that can enable or create barriers to career progression: ● Sharing Disability Information ● Requesting Workplace Adjustments ● Disability Advocacy ● Team Relations ● Impact of Managers and Supervisors ● Mentorship ● Disability Leadership ● Policy Context and Application To build on the enabling aspects of women with disabilities experiences and remove barriers, the VPS should focus on fostering VPS workplaces where respect and trust are embedded throughout the broader culture. There may be value in identifying one or a small group of VPS employers to lead on developing the inclusive practices identified by participants. The inclusive practices identified by participants were drawn together into three key areas: VPS Managers and Supervisors; Psychological Safety; and VPS Policies and Practices. Respecting the agency of women with disability, their capability and capacity to navigate their career contexts, the report suggests three key areas women with disability may want to focus their energy and sources of support: seeking out mentoring opportunities, considering how they can advocate for their inclusion requirements, and exploring opportunities to share their career experiences with other women with disability.