Equal Opportunity

Laws Protecting Equal Opportunity

• Federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984

• Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010

• Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001

• Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006
  ➡ Aim: Promote equality & eliminate discrimination.

Unlawful Grounds for Discrimination (Employment)

• Gender

• Race

• Disability/illness

• Political beliefs

• Trade union membership

• Religion

• Marital status

• Sexuality

• Parental status

• Age

• Physical features

• Pregnancy

Worker’s Rights

• Legal protection from discrimination and harassment.

• Freedom from bullying, workplace violence, and sexual harassment.

Discrimination

• Treating someone unfairly due to personal characteristics (age, gender, race, etc.).

• Illegal in employment, education, buying goods/services, and other areas.

Harassment

• Repeated bullying, targeting or exclusion (physical, verbal, emotional).

• Example:

  • Discrimination → Woman denied pay rise because she’s female.

  • Harassment → Woman called derogatory names because she’s female.

Sexual Harassment

• Unwanted, unwelcomed, uninvited behaviour of a sexual nature.

• Includes offensive jokes, sexual emails/texts, or unwanted touching.

Physical Violence

• A type of bullying, illegal in workplaces.

• Has serious long-term impacts on health, safety, and wellbeing.

Affirmative Action

• Policies to improve representation of disadvantaged/underrepresented groups.

• Aim: fairness and equality in workplaces.

Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (EOHRC)

• Established 1997 in Victoria.

• Provides:

  • Free, fair, confidential complaints service.

  • Conciliation (independent 3rd party dispute resolution).

  • Education and information about equal opportunity rights.