A controversial article was released on National Women’s Day this week, stating that companies will be harshly evaluated on their ratio of men and women employees in order to guarantee gender equality in the workplace. Kate Ellis, the Minister for the Status of Women said the government will tighten equal opportunity laws in order to guarantee gender equality in the working environment. An additional 11.2 million dollars will be spent to make sure companies are monitored, and their numbers of male and female employees meet the set requirements. Ellis believes this law will help regulate gaps and trends in female promotions and activity in the workplace. Companies who choose not to adhere to this law will receive harsh penalties and will not be entitled to receive assistance, grants, or government contracts. Ellis and many others believe the emphasis and recognition of this law will allow more women to take part in business environments and give them further opportunities to grow their career (The Australian).
Women have been fighting for their independence for hundreds of years. Because of heroic women like Maggie Thatcher, Margaret Jackson, and Germaine Greer, we now have equal opportunities in school, the workforce, and politics. This law doesn’t help women get more opportunities, but rather makes jobs for women to be seen as a requirement and something given to them, rather than justly earned. Read more…
![iStock_000012110987XSmall[1]](http://techblog.ambition.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/iStock_000012110987XSmall1-150x150.jpg "iStock_000012110987XSmall[1]")
Last year was a very difficult time for the global job market. Most people were struggling to find jobs, maintain their current job, and earn a decent salary. Times were tough and most of us didn’t have many options so we settled for anything we could get.
This year however, we have experienced quite the opposite. As the Australian economy prospers, technology employees are starting to ask for an increase in their salary. There is a huge skill shortage amongst technology employees, which makes it easier for people with the right skill set to demand a larger amount of money. In turn, companies are being forced to pay higher rates to people with these valued skills. Are these people actually worth what they are asking for, or are the companies paying extra because these are the best options they can find? Are companies now in the reverse role and having to settle because there are such limited options?
Pay rises are not only happening in Australia, but also the USA. Google just released a statement saying they would give a 10% pay rise to all of their employees next year. The reason behind this decision was to try and entice their employees to stay with the company as opposed to being poached by other competitors such as Facebook. Google is choosing to increase pay rates to their employees because they value their skills and want them to stay onboard.
Is there a difference between the pay rises we are seeing in Australia compared to the pay rises companies like Google are implementing? Is Australia being forced to give pay increases because there is a lack in numbers of skilled workers? Are we able to choose what kind of pay we are giving, or are we being forced to choose between quality and quantity?
While it may be a little colder down south, things are certainly heating up in the Melbourne IT Market, with massive growth in the number of IT jobs across the board.
With two of Australia’s most prominent banks based in Melbourne and many head offices, and shared services teams it seems that if you’re in IT then Melbourne is the place to be.
Recent confirmation that the NBN (National Broadband Network) head office will be based in Melbourne, means an expected 25,000 positions will be generated during the projects lifespan. With majority of these jobs being IT centric, particularly in infrastructure fields, Melbourne will become a goldmine for the IT job hunter. Inevitably IT professionals from around the country and abroad will be called upon to lend their skills down south.
View our IT Jobs in Melbourne
Typically a “User Group” is a program designed to encourage and support communities who want to hold regular meetings in their area; to discuss their particular specialty in the technology field. The purpose of these gatherings is to provide a forum in which technical specialists can share best practice and expertise and can in turn obtain feedback from the user community.
Take for example, Grant Paisley who is responsible for running the “Sydney SQL Server User Group” www.sqlserver.org.au
When asked how and why he got involved in running the SQL Server User Group, this is what he had to say…
Questions:
1. How and why did you become involved in running this User Group?
I’ve run a lot of user groups in my time; it is something I’m very passionate about. I’ve always been the one left standing when everyone else steps back.
www.sqlserver.org.au was previously run by Microsoft. I own and run a company in Sydney called “Angry Koala”, which specialises in the SQL field, specifically in Business Intelligence – we turn data into knowledge. Angry Koala took over the SQL Server User Group over five years ago, and we now have between 40- 80 guests per meeting (in Sydney). Other states like Melbourne have up to 120 guests at a time and we also have user groups in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart and Perth.
2. What is the purpose of a User Group?
The purpose of the user group is to build branding and community. For example, one of our members went to work in the UK for 12 years, and the first thing he did upon returning to Australia was join the SQL Server User Group. This allowed him to reconnect with other SQL Server specialists, find out what was going on in the market, the hot topics and employment opportunities etc. Glyn Llewelyn is now my GM as a result of joining the group. Read more…
A controversial article was released on National Women’s Day this week, stating that companies will be harshly evaluated on their ratio of men and women employees in order to guarantee gender equality in the workplace. Kate Ellis, the Minister for the Status of Women said the government will tighten equal opportunity laws in order to guarantee gender equality in the working environment. An additional 11.2 million dollars will be spent to make sure companies are monitored, and their numbers of male and female employees meet the set requirements. Ellis believes this law will help regulate gaps and trends in female promotions and activity in the workplace. Companies who choose not to adhere to this law will receive harsh penalties and will not be entitled to receive assistance, grants, or government contracts. Ellis and many others believe the emphasis and recognition of this law will allow more women to take part in business environments and give them further opportunities to grow their career (The Australian). 
Loading ...
