November 30, 2021
Sexual harassment inside the Australian parliament is rife, according to a new report; Food prices in Hungary increase due to rising inflation
Today’s global news summary brings news from Australia, Hungary, and the UK and discusses issues as diverse as sexual harassment, rising food prices, and the benefits of having a four-day working week.
- Australia: Sexual harassment inside the Australian parliament is rife, according to a new report
- Hungary: Price increases for food due to rising inflation
- UK: Atom Bank switches to a four-day week without cutting pay
Sexual harassment inside the Australian parliament is rife, according to a new report
Behavioral and personnel economics | Demography, family, and gender
A new report has found that one in three people working in the Australian parliament have experienced sexual harassment. The findings are following an independent inquiry into the workplace culture at the parliament, Reuters reports. The review has revealed that there is a widespread improper behavior but also that over half of the respondents have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or actual or attempted sexual assault at least once. “Like anyone who works in this building, I find the statistics that are presented here, of course appalling and disturbing," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Canberra. Greater gender balance among both lawmakers and their staff, new alcohol policies and creating a new human resource office to manage complaints, are just a few of the 28 recommendations listed in the report.
“Sexual harassment is underreported, which reduces the efficacy of legislation and workplace policies prohibiting it, as these policies depend on reporting to discourage harassment,” says Joni Hersch. Read her full article.
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Videos
Gender discrimination and sexual harassment: A discussion with Joni Hersch
Discrimination and anti-discrimination policies: Harry Holzer in discussion with Daniel S Hamermesh
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Why Is Workplace Sexual Harassment Underreported? The Value of outside Options amid the Threat of Retaliation
Gender-Biased Behavior at Work: What Can Surveys Tell Us About the Link Between Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination?
Food prices in Hungary increase due to rising inflation
Development
Rising consumer prices are financially straining households and businesses worldwide, abc news reports. The surge is affecting appliance stores in the United States, food markets in Hungary and gas stations in Poland, amongst others, and are due to a jump up in energy costs as well as supply chain disruptions. The economic impact of Covid-19 is still prominent, and, in addition, the new omicron variant is proving to be a threat in that it could put more strain on global commerce as well as cause a further increase in prices. Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics has said that “a new round of infections could further aggravate supply chains, putting even more upward pressure on inflation.”
Ralitza Dimova has researched the welfare impact of rising food prices. Read her full article.
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Food Prices and Body Fatness among Youths
Rising Food Prices and Household Welfare: Evidence from Brazil in 2008
Atom Bank switches to a four-day week without cutting pay
Labor markets and institutions
BBC News reports that Atom Bank has introduced a four-day working week for all their staff without cutting their wages. All those employed by the online bank will now work 34 hours over four days in return for having either Monday or Friday off. Mark Mullen, CEO of Atom Bank, has said that the move will improve staff’s wellbeing as well as help retain employees. “Before Covid, the conventional wisdom was you had to commute in, sit at a desk all day and repeat that process when you commuted home. Covid showed us that it wasn't necessary…I think doing 9-5, Monday to Friday is a pretty old fashioned way of working,” Mullen said. The new voluntary arrangement will mean that staff will have to work longer hours in the four working days.
Peter Dolton has found that “the labor markets in many countries are still not very flexible in that hours of work cannot be chosen by many employees.” Read his full article.
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