READOUT: Department of Labor screens film on workplace gender equity, Acting Secretary Su leads discussion on inequities women face

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau welcomed elected officials and leaders from the entertainment industry and advocacy groups on Sept. 17, 2024, for “Beyond 9 to 5: The Ongoing Fight for Gender Equality in the Workplace,” a screening of new documentary on gender equity followed by a moderated discussion on the issue in the workplace.

After screening the film “Still Working 9 to 5,” an examination of the evolution of gender equity in the workplace inspired by the 1980 feature film “9 to 5,” Acting Secretary Julie Su moderated a talk back focused on pay equity, occupational segregation, gender-based violence and harassment, discrimination and lack of access to quality and affordable care. 

The panel discussion included the documentary’s co-producers Camille Hardman and Gary Lane; National Women’s Law Center President and CEO Fatima Goss Graves; Young Feminist Party Deputy Executive Director Claudia Nachega; former Women’s Bureau Director and now activist Karen Nussbaum; and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Sisters in the Brotherhood Director Sandra Rodriguez.

“Watching the documentary emphasized the original film’s thoughtfulness and the ways it perfectly depicted the themes the Department of Labor celebrates today. It showed that when workers have a voice, they can affect change in their workplace and that strengthening support services can increase happiness and lead to better productivity,” said Acting Secretary Julie Su. “While we have made some progress, issues that negatively affect women’s participation in the workplace remain. Under President Biden’s leadership, we continue to invest in good jobs for women. When we talk about ‘good jobs’ for women workers, we mean jobs that pay based on the work they do, not based on their gender, and jobs where all workers have dignity, respect and can exercise their rights and power.”

“Four decades after this groundbreaking original film highlighted a culture that devalued working women, we still see women across professions fighting for fair wages and the ability to work with safety, dignity, and equity. I’m proud of the critical work the National Women’s Law Center leads to help pass laws combatting the scourge of harassment and workplace policies and conditions that allow discrimination to thrive,” said NWLC President and CEO Fatima Goss Graves. “More than 40 years later, ‘Still Working 9 to 5’ is a timely, galvanizing reminder that with laws and policies that give women equitable opportunities in the workplace we can transform a culture that undervalues women.”

Camille Hardman, who also directed the film, expressed her gratitude to the department for showcasing the film, saying: “The Women’s Bureau fosters a supportive and active environment that helps push the door open and encourage challenging conversations around women’s equality, care, job segregation, family leave and sexual harassment that can only lead to long-term needed culture change in the workplace and the labor movement.” 

When asked about his role as co-producer for the film, Gary Lane stated, “I feel it’s very important that men need to be involved in the conversation for real change to happen.” 

Young Feminist Party Deputy Executive Director Claudia Nachega said one of the things the documentary reinforced was the need to include all voices – especially young people’s voices – for a movement to be effective. “Today, young people are bearing the brunt of attacks on abortion access, queer and transgender rights, economic inequality and more. The original movie was a call to action for congress to provide a concrete, constitutional legal system to fight gender injustice,” Nachega said. “Then and now, we know the Equal Rights Amendment is key, and young people need the President to act and publish the ERA at the request of congressional leaders and young people across the country.”

Director Chun-Hoon cited the event as one more way to keep the conversation going. “The Biden-Harris administration has centered women, people of color, people with disabilities and other communities that have disproportionately been left out of workplace gains, but there’s still work to be done,” said Women’s Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon. “This critical conversation about the progress to date and the continued work needed to establish and maintain access to good jobs that offer family-sustaining wages, paid leave and flexibility and where workers are safe and respected is crucial to the mission of the Women’s Bureau.”

Acting Secretary Su closed the evening by considering how women’s rights in the workplace will change over the next 40 years. “We acknowledge there are many challenges, but each of the leaders, activists, organizers in this room – with the full power of the Department of Labor – can drive things forward. All of us do this kind of work because we believe change is possible.”