Implementation – Education program

“Through Council’s education program we are making positive strides in our approach to an equitable and respectful workplace for all, where staff know how to speak up and challenge disrespectful behaviour.”

Peter Thompson General Manager, Wagga Wagga City Council

Why education?

To promote diversity and inclusiveness and create behavioural and attitudinal change within Council a 2-year equity and respect education program was implemented. The education program was built as a foundation piece within the project’s commitment to organisational change, to provide staff with an understanding of the role equity and respect play in reducing domestic and family violence.

Education and organisational development initiatives are critical to the success of an overall violence prevention plan.

Topic structure

The program structure was designed to shape employees understanding of the role equity and respect play in reducing domestic and family violence, while linking to Council’s code of conduct of acceptable and unacceptable behaviours. Topic structure was intended to provide staff with a broad understanding of gender inequality and the specific gendered drivers of violence, leading them to the final topics, which prompt actionfocused behaviours.

Understanding and awareness

Equality Vs. equity

#16daysofactivism

Stereotyping and bias

Action - focused behaviour change

#16daysofactivism

Casual sexism

#16daysofactivism

Respectful relationships Active bystander action Prevention of violence

To encourage broad uptake, completion of all six eLearning modules is reflected on staff training records.

Program delivery

The education program was delivered through hard copy fact sheets and short, interactive online eLearning modules, to appeal to a wider range of staff and their learning needs E.g. Outdoor staff who have limited access to computers. Access to fact sheets are promoted through Council’s staff Intranet, and the eLearning modules are all listed on Council’s internal Learning Management System (LMS) for staff to complete.

Implementation

To create long-term change in the organisation, the suite of eLearning modules has been integrated into Council’s induction process. The online education program compliments the commitment to developing and maintaining a culture that embraces gender equality through meaningful activities into Council’s induction process and as a resource for senior managers to use for on-going staff education and training. Integrating key eLearning modules as a mandatory component of induction ensures new employees are committed to the organisations overarching values to equity and respect from the beginning.

The leadership team from Council and key project stakeholders attending Our Watch – Change the Story training session