January
The workforce challenges keeping these HR bosses up at night
BOSS talks to six human resources executives about challenges they face in 2025. Rethinking diversity programs may not be one of them, but there are many others.
- Sally Patten, Patrick Durkin and Euan Black
- Opinion
- Diversity
I was sex discrimination commissioner, but Trump has a point about DEI
The old biases the women’s movement railed against so persuasively have been replaced by new biases, almost as unfair and opaque as those of the ancien régime.
- Pru Goward
- Opinion
- Diversity
I told a summit DEI’s business case doesn’t stack up. Response was icy
Diversity, equity and inclusion programs have been a cash cow for consultants, far exceeding the gains for the target groups they are meant to support.
- Yhana Lanwin
World’s first stadium designed for women’s sports takes the field
The CPKC Stadium in Kansas gives one team a permanent base while providing inspiration for other women’s clubs in an increasingly expensive era of stadium development.
- Mark Byrnes
Directors brace for Trump’s DEI dismantling
Australian company directors are not willing to backtrack on hard-won gains in gender diversity and inclusion, but are preparing for employee and customer pushback.
- Patrick Durkin and Hannah Wootton
No comment: DEI debate too controversial for corporate Australia
Amid reports of increased employee opposition, the question over the future of diversity and inclusion programs appears to be too hot to touch.
- Euan Black
Australian workers push back against DEI programs
Employee resistance to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is rising in Australia as companies struggle to explain the rationale for them.
- Euan Black
- Opinion
- Diversity
I’m ‘diverse’. But Zuck has a point about DEI losing its way
What corporate culture needs isn’t a disavowal of diversity. We need a more nuanced and compassionate approach to creating inclusive spaces.
- Jessy Wu
Zuckerberg says most companies need more ‘masculine energy’
The billionaire, who launched his career by rating the attractiveness of women at Harvard University, lamented the rise of “culturally neutered” companies.
- Riley Griffin
December 2024
How ‘toxic masculinity’ attacks pushed boys to Andrew Tate
Sick of being told they are part of a “patriarchy” they had no hand in creating, some male teens seek inspiration from “manfluencers”. How can we stop this trend?
- Euan Black
- Opinion
- Sexism
Blake Lively turns the shame around
The actress is suing a Hollywood studio alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign. It may prolong the pain but the only way to end impunity is to speak up.
- Nicholas Kristof
Women-only gallery at MONA to let men in for housework lessons
The Ladies Lounge will briefly reopen after a successful appeal against a discrimination suit, and will even admit men – with some (apron) strings attached.
- Michael Bailey
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Forrest-backed all-female fund wants to change a pale, male industry
Nicola Forrest will invest $100 million to seed the first all-female fund in Australia. But one of the star stock pickers says it’s a tough time for fundies.
- Updated
- James Thomson
All the ladies: Future Generation set to launch fund run by women
A group of high-profile female investment managers have thrown their support behind a fund that aims to advance gender equality and opportunity.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
November 2024
- Opinion
- Opinion
Rio Tinto diversity backlash shows men are key to inclusive workplaces
Resistance to cultural changes shows advocates need to strengthen the “why” about gender equality and not talk into their own echo chamber.
- Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz
Why the backlash from men is threatening gender targets
Mining behemoth Rio Tinto is not the only company to discover pockets of male employees who resent the push for greater diversity.
- Sally Patten
Australia’s gender divide: Why young men and women are pulling apart
There is mounting evidence that more directionless young men are looking for validation that they have been badly done by.
- Emma Connors
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Did gender diversity and merit collide at Rio Tinto?
The challenge for companies is to find a way to promote pluralism while treating all employees equally and avoiding inflaming a politicised culture war.
- The AFR View
- Updated
- Workplace culture
Rio Tinto workers push back against its diversity efforts
Two years after a major review found the company had systemic bullying issues, employees of both sexes say they are uncomfortable about some changes.
- Updated
- Peter Ker
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Rio Tinto’s push to protect women is making both sexes angry
The attempt to address sexual harassment and bullying captures the collision of the push for increased diversity and another against so-called wokeness.
- James Thomson