Conference notes that the conversation on the importance of and the impacts of women’s health conditions in the workplace has already begun. • In July 2022 the Government produced a Women’s Health Strategy for England Women’s Health Strategy for England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk); • Unison National Women’s Conference 2024 saw a successful motion carried on […]
Conference motions
Conference the British Transport Police Authority reports and alarming rise in violent crimes against women and girls, with 11,357 incidents recorded in the year ending March 31, 2024, marking a significant increase from 9,464 the previous year. Conference, we know that there are specific vulnerabilities faced by women, across the public sector and community voluntary […]
Conference, it is well noted that on average women live longer than men, yet women spend greater portions of their lives in ill health, make fewer visits to their GPs, receive less health monitoring, and take more potentially harmful medication. The gender health gap refers to the disparities in health outcomes and access to healthcare […]
Conference notes that there are over 80,000 young women members in UNISON – nearly 7% of the total membership. However, young women are under-represented as UNISON activists and may experience a number of barriers in getting involved in their trade union. Conference believes that it is essential that young women are encouraged and supported to […]
Menstruation affects most women, especially Black women as well as trans men and many gender diverse and non-binary people, for more than half of their working lives. While periods are a normal part of life, there are many ways that menstruation can affect working lives and the ability to do one’s job. Research suggests that […]
Conference notes that stalking affects approximately 1 in 5 women during their lifetime. Despite the prevalence, many women do not report stalking incidents to the police. It’s estimated that only about 20% of stalking cases are reported, often due to fear of not being believed or concerns about further victimisation. While stalking does not always […]
The Centre for Progressive Policy reported that the UK’s fertility rate has declined by 18.8% falling faster (2010 to 2022) than any other of the G7 countries. This means that the statistical average of 1.49 children per woman in the UK. Whilst the conclusion points to the main reason as austerity policies, there are many […]
Sexual harassment is sadly a common issue in the workplace. A 2023 poll by the TUC showed that 3 in 5 women have experienced harassment at work, rising to almost two-thirds of women aged 25 to 34. It can manifest in many ways from inappropriate comments to telling sexually offensive jokes to serious sexual assault. […]
The lack of affordable housing is a pressing issue that disproportionately affects women and single mothers. In many communities, rising rents and stagnant wages have created a housing crisis that places immense financial and emotional strain on these vulnerable populations. Women, particularly single mothers, often face unique challenges that exacerbate the impacts of housing instability, […]
Conference recognises that UNISON recruits and seeks to support and organise migrant workers and that the most vulnerable of these workers are women, with a large percentage of these working in health and social care environments. These members are being charged deductions for their accommodation and living costs which are not properly itemised on payslips, […]
Conference notes that Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without a childcare strategy, despite this being a commitment of the Northern Ireland Executive’s New Decade New Approach agreement. Conference also notes that international and regional comparisons of the cost of formal childcare indicate that Northern Ireland has some of the highest childcare […]
Conference in the UK men earn 14% more than women, despite the introduction of the mandatory Gender Pay Gap reporting in 2017, women are still paid less on average than men. More women than men work part-time, more women than men take on the caring responsibilities within their families. However, lack of good quality, properly […]
Period products aren’t free and accessible in the UK, which means that many people can’t afford or access them. ‘Period poverty’ means being unable to access sanitary products and having a poor knowledge of menstruation often due to financial constraints. Period poverty has increased because of successive years of austerity and the cost-of-living crisis. In […]
There is no doubt that the workplace has progressed concerning employing staff with a disability, but there is still a lot of work required. We need to ask employers to assess their workplaces regularly. They need to look at policies, access, reasonable adjustments and attitudes in the workplace as a part of the overall work […]
Conference, colleagues working for the Probation Service will be aware of the ongoing difficulties faced by staff when their roles become subject to job evaluation. Recent experience has made it all too clear to UNISON members that the employer clearly views this as a scheme owned by HMPPS rather than a shared agreement with the […]