Three math tutors are taking the University of Melbourne to the equal opportunity commission, alleging gender discrimination. The tutors are among a larger group of 9 staff facing the axe and now a long-time colleague is risking her job to speak out in support.
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00:00Dr Javeria Jalal balances raising two boys with a career teaching maths at the University
00:08of Melbourne. Irregular, casual employment makes that difficult.
00:13I had to return to work four weeks postpartum after a c-section. That was not a choice really.
00:20I knew if I have to teach summer I will have to do semester two.
00:26Dr Jalal says her commitment to the job wasn't reciprocated. She's one of nine maths tutors
00:31who will soon be out of work as the university moves away from teaching only roles. The tutors
00:36were denied conversion to permanent jobs and three are now taking their fight to the Victorian
00:41Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, alleging indirect gender discrimination.
00:48As the primary carer at home, Dr Jalal says she missed out on career development opportunities
00:53needed for new teaching and research positions. So I think if a decision has been made based
00:59on what my availability was at that time, it's really unfair.
01:04We're saying that the processes that the university has created in order to bring these positions
01:10into ongoing positions essentially excludes them from being able to access those new opportunities.
01:16Melbourne University has not filed a response to the allegations, however in a statement
01:20the University of Melbourne said it did not accept unlawful discrimination and takes its
01:25obligations in relation to discrimination extremely seriously. Adding, we recognise
01:30workforce structures that rely on casual and short-term employment are neither desirable
01:35nor sustainable.
01:37Julie Frierson is a colleague of Dr Jalal. She's just been made permanent after 36 years
01:43in insecure work. She says she's prepared to risk all of that by speaking out for her
01:48colleagues.
01:49I think there's a grave injustice been done to the other 10 teaching associates.
01:55Julie Frierson says it'll also hurt the students she loves teaching.
01:59As far as I can see it's turning the clock back about 40 years.
02:03No date has been set for conciliation.