Problematic Working Conditions for Female Political Staffers: What Can Be Done?

Abstract

Many of the thousands of political staffers who work for federal Ministers, MPs and Senators in Australia are women. Parliamentarians' offices are important sites of women's political engagement and influence in Australia. Yet their employment is precarious and they can experience unacceptable levels of bullying and sexual harassment. This article explores the causes of problematic working conditions for staffers, which are both structural and cultural, based in formal rules and informal norms. It argues that while men and women are affected, there is an important gender dimension to the problems, which are accentuated for women. It uses interview and biographical data to shed light on the presence of women in political staff roles and their experiences at work. It suggests some possible solutions to the problems. None of these are straightforward and all face the issue of vested interests.