Equal Opportunity, Discrimination & Harassment in the Workplace
Q: Laws Protecting Equal Opportunity
A:
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.
Q: Unlawful Grounds for Discrimination (Employment)
A:
Gender
Race
Disability/illness
Political beliefs
Trade union membership
Religion
Marital status
Sexuality
Parental status
Age
Physical features
Pregnancy
Q: Worker’s Rights
A:
Legal protection from discrimination and harassment.
Freedom from bullying, workplace violence, and sexual harassment.
Q: Discrimination
A:
Treating someone unfairly due to personal characteristics (age, gender, race, etc.).
Illegal in employment, education, buying goods/services, and other areas.
Q: Harassment
A:
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.
Q: Sexual Harassment
A:
Unwanted, unwelcomed, uninvited behaviour of a sexual nature.
Includes offensive jokes, sexual emails/texts, or unwanted touching.
Q: Physical Violence
A:
A type of bullying, illegal in workplaces.
Has serious long-term impacts on health, safety, and wellbeing.
Q: Affirmative Action
A:
Policies to improve representation of disadvantaged/underrepresented groups.
Aim: fairness and equality in workplaces.
Q: Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (EOHRC)
A:
Established 1997 in Victoria.
Provides:
Free, fair, confidential complaints service.
Conciliation (independent 3rd party dispute resolution).
Education and information about equal opportunity rights.