Karen Liversidge
Despite advancements in workplace equality, statistics from Safe Work Australia reveal women are significantly more likely to encounter harmful behaviours at work, including harassment, bullying, and work-related violence. Women are more likely to work in industries and occupations with higher rates of psychosocial hazards and a gender pay gap still exists.
Women, however, continue to break barriers in the workplace. To celebrate International Women’s Day in 2024, we interviewed Karen Liversidge, HR leader at Greater Shepparton City Council and Lisa Barnes, CEO of Work Healthy Australia. They share their career triumphs, who supported them and how they overcame difficulties.
Karen Liversidge – Manager People and Development, Greater Shepparton City Council
Karen is the Manager of People and Development at Greater Shepparton City Council. She has been an HR professional for nearly 25 years across various industries. Currently, she manages all aspects of the council’s people and development department, which includes payroll, recruitment, learning and development, OHS and early intervention, and all employee and industrial relations.
Karen still recalls the misogyny and sexism she experienced earlier in her career when she worked as a car salesperson in the automotive industry in the UK. “There was the backroom banter and the expectation, that as a female, I wouldn’t be tough enough to deal with difficult situations or people… or that I’d be too emotional or might crumble under pressure.”Â
“Build a network of like-minded people around you”
She cites her parents are key in instigating the notion that she could achieve anything she wanted if she worked for it. Her parents also encouraged her to be confident in her knowledge and judgement.Â
“My mum is the strongest person I know. She taught me to have independent thought and faith in my ability. I inherited from her a stubborn trait of wanting to prove people wrong. I am proud of what I have achieved in my career and have learned from every encounter I have had, the good, the bad and the ugly.”
Karen advises females entering her profession to build a network of like-minded people around them. “Use that collective group to bounce ideas off, ask for advice and lean on for support. Women supporting women in the workplace is a powerful thing. Human Resources can be a highly emotional environment and on occasions, it can drain you mentally.” She encourages women to always debrief with a trusted colleague, not take their work home with them and remember to laugh – a lot!
Lisa Barnes – Chief Executive Officer, Work Healthy Australia
Lisa started her career as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers. She received a lot of guidance and mentoring on how to be polished and professional in the workplace, not just how to do the job. There was a sense that women and men were equal, even at the graduate level.Â
Reflecting on her early career, Lisa acknowledges the pioneering women who reached partner or senior manager positions, recognising them as trailblazers. “Looking back, their achievements were indeed groundbreaking at the time. They served as my role models, influencing my path and aspirations,” she remarks. Â
Despite some great experiences in her career, Lisa unfortunately encountered sexism in certain corners of the workplace, which sometimes showed up as bullying and harassment. “That’s where I learnt the value of networking and building allies”, she says. “Thankfully, the workplace has progressed significantly since then”, she remarks, “but we still have a long way to go to reach equality.”
“Seek out mentors within your organisation or industry that share your values and whom you admire, regardless of gender.”
One of Lisa’s greatest sources of pride is witnessing the success and fulfilment of those she has mentored and coached. She is also proud to be heading Work Healthy Australia, an organisation that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
Lisa advises young women entering her field to seek out mentors within their organisation or industry, emphasising the value of finding guidance from individuals who embody their values and whom they admire, regardless of gender.