Women's Employment Board
WEB
1942 – 1944
Wartime tribunal that fixed the pay, hours and conditions of women employed in work previously done by men, or in new work created by the war effort, setting their wages as a proportion of the male rate.
How it came into existence
Established in 1942 under the Women's Employment Regulations made under the National Security Act 1939, and chaired by Judge Alfred Foster of the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration, to deal with the wages of women drawn into 'men's work' outside that court's ordinary awards; the Women's Employment Act 1942 gave the regulations the force of law.
Legislation: Women's Employment Act 1942; National Security Act 1939 (Women's Employment Regulations)
How it ended
Its work was largely complete by the end of 1944, when it was wound up and its remaining matters, and the administration of the Women's Employment Regulations, passed to the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration.
- Administration of the Women's Employment Regulations
- Remaining wage matters for women in men's work
Main functions
- Fixing wage rates for women doing work usually done by men
- Setting hours and conditions of employment for those women
- Hearing applications from employers and unions
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Labour and National Service.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.