Accord

Sexual harassment impacts university staff – our research shows how

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 24, 2023

There is increasing attention on the lack of progress around sexual harassment and assault on Australian university campuses.

Key Points: 
  • There is increasing attention on the lack of progress around sexual harassment and assault on Australian university campuses.
  • Earlier this week, the National Tertiary Education Union launched a national survey of university staff experiences of workplace sexual harassment.
  • Our research on workplace sexual harassment in Australia sheds light on university staff experiences of harassment and the inadequacy of responses.

Our study


    In 2022 we conducted a national survey of victim-survivor experiences of workplace sexual harassment in Australia. We received 1,412 responses from a diverse range of industries. Within this, there were 100 respondents who had experienced workplace sexual harassment while working at an Australian university.

University staff experiences of workplace sexual harassment

    • This reflects the gendered nature of workplace sexual harassment.
    • Almost 80% of our respondents believed their gender contributed to the harassment, while 47% believed their age was a contributor.

Workplace sexual harassment is frequent and ongoing


    We invited victim-survivors to detail the frequency and duration of their experience of workplace sexual harassment. Among university staff, we found:
    These findings point to the ongoing nature of this abuse. Few victim-survivors experienced workplace sexual harassment as a one-off incident.

Witnesses rarely intervene

    • Almost half (46%) said there were witnesses to their experience, with 18% noting four or more people had witnessed the incident.
    • Of those whose victimisation was witnessed, in only 15% of cases did a witness intervene.

The role of job security

    • Half of the university staff who responded to our survey felt their employment was insecure at the time they were sexually harassed.
    • Read more:
      Australian unis could not function without casual staff: it is time to treat them as 'real' employees

A lack of consequences

    • Numerous victim-survivors said they were not aware of any consequences for the perpetrator.
    • But to manage their own safety or as a result of the impacts of the experience, they left the university.

What now?

    • We have a national plan with a target of eliminating gender-based violence in one generation.
    • Clare has appointed a working group to provide advice on how universities can “create safer campuses” for students and staff.
    • Peak body Universities Australia has also noted “much more is required of us collectively” when it comes to sexual harm on campuses.
    • Nicola Helps currently receives funding for family violence related research from the Victorian Government.

Standard Motor Products' August Release Includes 210 New Part Numbers

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 23, 2023

NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP®) has released 210 new part numbers in its August new number announcement.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP®) has released 210 new part numbers in its August new number announcement.
  • This most recent release provides new coverage in 72 distinct product categories, and 69 part numbers for 2022, 2023 and 2024 model-year vehicles.
  • With the August release, Standard® and Four Seasons® continue to expand coverage for hybrid and electric vehicles.
  • Blower Motor Resistors are now available for 2.3 million vehicles including the 2019-15 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 2019-16 Lexus LX570 Hybrid.

Honda Accord shines while other midsize cars struggle in rear-seat safety test

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 16, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Honda Accord outperformed other midsize cars in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, earning a rare good rating in the new, challenging evaluation focused on rear-seat protection.

Key Points: 
  • ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Honda Accord outperformed other midsize cars in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, earning a rare good rating in the new, challenging evaluation focused on rear-seat protection.
  • Among the other six midsize cars tested, the Subaru Outback earns an acceptable rating.
  • To encourage manufacturers to improve rear-seat protection, the updated test adds a dummy in the back seat behind the driver.
  • However, measurements indicated a slightly higher risk of injuries to the right leg or foot of the driver in the good-rated Accord.

The MolinaCares Accord Invests Over $1 Million to Improve Community Health Through Its Vision for Virginia Initiative

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 15, 2023

The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Virginia (“Molina”), is announcing its Vision for Virginia initiative with an initial investment of over $1 million to improve health outcomes and build stronger communities.

Key Points: 
  • The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Virginia (“Molina”), is announcing its Vision for Virginia initiative with an initial investment of over $1 million to improve health outcomes and build stronger communities.
  • “Every Virginia citizen should have access to the health resources needed to thrive,” said Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel.
  • Some regions across the state, including southwest Virginia counties and Petersburg, show poor health care outcomes due to lack of access and funding for essential programs.
  • Expanding CrossOver Healthcare Ministry’s community pharmacy, serving uninsured clients in the metro Richmond area;
    Working with Richmond Behavioral Health Foundation to support early education and development activities for children of mothers receiving behavioral health services;

Standard Motor Products Expands Emission Control Program

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 14, 2023

NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP®) continues to add to its comprehensive Emission Control program, which includes evaporative emission control (EVAP), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and positive crankcase ventilation components.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP®) continues to add to its comprehensive Emission Control program, which includes evaporative emission control (EVAP), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and positive crankcase ventilation components.
  • Standard's Emission Control program helps technicians repair and maintain these complex systems.
  • When OE fails, technicians trust Standard® to deliver components that keep emission systems operating as designed.
  • All new Standard® Emission Control components are listed in the catalog found at StandardBrand.com and in electronic catalog providers.

Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Canada, Northwest Territories and Yukon sign historic Western Arctic - Tariuq (Offshore) Accord

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 10, 2023

The Accord ensures that Inuvialuit, along with residents of Yukon and the Northwest Territories, are the primary beneficiaries of economic activity from any oil and gas development in their regions.

Key Points: 
  • The Accord ensures that Inuvialuit, along with residents of Yukon and the Northwest Territories, are the primary beneficiaries of economic activity from any oil and gas development in their regions.
  • Once implemented in legislation, the Western Arctic – Tariuq (Offshore) Accord will establish an oil and gas co-management and revenue-sharing arrangement with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the Government of Yukon, for the Accord area.
  • The Government of Canada will collaborate with the parties to implement the Western Arctic – Tariuq (Offshore) Accord in federal legislation at the earliest opportunity.
  • This accord is a positive step towards ensuring that the Northwest Territories will have direct involvement in important decisions that affect the Western Arctic – Tariuq (Offshore) alongside Canada, the Yukon and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation."

A national university for regional Australia isn't necessarily a smart idea. Here's why

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 8, 2023

One of the headline ideas floated by the Universities Accord interim report is a second national university.

Key Points: 
  • One of the headline ideas floated by the Universities Accord interim report is a second national university.
  • The basic idea is regional universities could opt in to become part of the new national university.

This is not a new idea

    • Australia’s last major review of higher education proposed a national regional university in 2008.
    • The Bradley review recommended “a study to examine the feasibility of a new national university for regional areas”.
    • The Bradley review suggested a new national university to redress a lack of participation of regional students.

Not (yet) supported by regional unis


    So far, the new national university has not attracted much support. The Regional Universities Network includes seven (though not all) of Australia’s regional universities. The network was “encouraged” by several key ideas in the accord panel’s interim report. But any mention of the national regional university idea was conspicuously missing from its media statement in response to the report.

Other university models

    • The accord report says there are comparable international models for a national regional university, and points to the University of California system.
    • A closer example of a national multi-state university is the Australian Catholic University.
    • But it is doubtful whether this would be a good model for a national regional university.
    • Even if a regional university were to consider amalgamation, it would be more likely with a near neighbour, not another more distant regional university.

Worrying ‘synergies’

    • This is likely to worry university staff and students as “synergies” and “efficiencies” can often lead to cost cutting and job losses.
    • There is a risk that a new national regional university will lead to remote, unsuitable, inflexible and unresponsive systems.
    • And a “regional” university in north Queensland is substantially different from a “regional” university in western NSW.

TAFEs provide more opportunities

    • If we want to improve opportunities for regional students, the accord should consider a bigger role for TAFEs in a national regional university and more generally.
    • more opportunities for physical co-location of education and training facilities.
    • Indeed, Australia already has six highly distinctive “dual sector” universities, which provide both university and vocational qualifications.

What now?


    The interim reports contains more than 70 “areas for further consideration” by the accord panel. Many of these – including the idea for a national regional university – will not necessarily make it into the final report in December. If Australia is to have a new university there needs to be more careful thought about where it should be and what its ultimate structure and purpose should be.

Honda Takes Over Top Spot Nationwide on Cloud Theory's Inventory Efficiency Index

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 8, 2023

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud Theory, the real-time automotive data insights provider, has announced that according to its proprietary Inventory Efficiency Index, Honda is now #1 nationwide, separating itself from last month's co-leaders Toyota and Kia.

Key Points: 
  • Cloud Theory's patent-pending Inventory Efficiency Index (IEI) provides a previously unavailable real-time view of market-relevant supply and demand of all makes and models and across all geographies.
  • Cloud Theory's Inventory Efficiency Index assigns scores to vehicle makes and models based on current active inventory and sales data relative to competitors.
  • A score above 100 indicates that a make or model is selling its inventory more efficiently than average.
  • "Since the beginning of the year, we've seen Toyota, Kia, and now Honda in the top spot," said Rick Wainschel, Vice President, Data Science & Analytics at Cloud Theory.

The MolinaCares Accord Supports Access to Health Care in Rural Georgia Communities

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 8, 2023

The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”) presented a $75,000 donation to the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance (GHFA) , the philanthropic arm of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians (GAFP) , in commemoration of the organization’s 75th anniversary.

Key Points: 
  • The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”) presented a $75,000 donation to the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance (GHFA) , the philanthropic arm of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians (GAFP) , in commemoration of the organization’s 75th anniversary.
  • The donation will support the GHFA’s Rural Georgia Urgent Need Grants program, which is designed to improve access to quality health care for the underserved in rural Georgia communities.
  • “MolinaCares is dedicated to building stronger communities and removing barriers to health care,” said Carolyn Ingram, executive director of The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation.
  • “We are proud to support the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance to connect individuals and families to the quality health care services they deserve.”
    “We are grateful for this generous donation from MolinaCares,” said Alice House, M.D., a leader of the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance and past president of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians.

Learning from Lululemon: If Canada wants to get serious about forced labour, disclosure laws won’t do

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 1, 2023

The Canadian government recently passed the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act.

Key Points: 
  • The Canadian government recently passed the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act.
  • The new law is designed to address forced labour and child labour in supply chains by requiring companies to disclose their efforts in eliminating labour abuse from their supply chains.
  • The legislation, known colloquially as Canada’s Modern Slavery Act, does not require large Canadian companies to actually take actions to prevent or reduce the risk of forced labour and child labour in their supply chains.

Remembering Rana Plaza

    • This new Canadian law comes a decade after the tragic collapse of the nine-storey Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh that killed nearly 1,130 garment workers and injured over 2,500.
    • The disaster raised concerns about the ability of voluntary corporate initiatives to address labour rights violations and protect workers.
    • Remarkably, only one Canadian garment company — Loblaw Companies Ltd., the parent company of the Joe Fresh brand — has signed the accord.

Lululemon report

    • Our report, Lululemon’s Conundrum: Good Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives and the Persistence of Forced Labour, examines Lululemon’s efforts to address potential labour abuse in its supply chain.
    • In 2021, KnowTheChain — which evaluates companies’ efforts to address forced labour risks in their supply chains based on international labour standards — ranked Lululemon first among 129 apparel and footwear companies for its measures to address forced labour risks.

Lululemon supplier concerns

    • Despite this, Lululemon has not signed the 2021 International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry.
    • Two reports found that from 2018 to 2019, workers at a Lululemon supplier factory had to work two to three nights without being allowed to go home or take necessary breaks.
    • While a 2022 follow-up investigation determined this situation had been rectified by Lululemon and the supplier, some workers reported they still felt unable to refuse overtime requests.

Corporate transparency issues

    • Employees are encouraged to report any violations to this code internally through Lululemon or externally using third-party tools such as the international Integrity Line.
    • However, third-party complaint avenues pose challenges, including requiring tech access, trusting unfamiliar third parties and filing a complaint that protects one’s anonymity while still providing enough detail about worker issues.
    • Another code Lululemon has in place is the Vendor Code of Ethics and its accompanying Benchmarks policy.

Reliance on local labour laws

    • Lululemon’s measures to address forced labour largely rely on the labour laws in the countries in which the suppliers are located.
    • Relying on local labour laws is a major shortcoming of many corporate initiatives, since they often fall short of international legal norms and are not well enforced.

Due diligence legislation needed

    • Disclosure laws, like those in Canada’s new act, will not require Lululemon to reveal the type of information needed to ensure its suppliers are not abusing workers.
    • Nor does the new law require large multinational corporations to take any steps to eradicate labour abuses in the supply chains.
    • If Canada is to truly eradicate force labour in global supply chains, it needs mandatory due diligence legislation that involves supply chain workers at every stage of the process — before another disaster like Rana Plaza occurs.