Equal Opportunity At Work
Stand up to discrimination
Discrimination is illegal in Victoria.This means that it is against the law for you to be treated unfairly because of: age; breastfeeding or pregnancy status; career status; disability or impairment; gender identity; being a union member (or not); sexual activity; marital status; sexual orientation; physical features (not including ‘accessories ’ like tattoos or piercing); political activity or belief; race; religious belief; gender.
Discrimination is illegal whether the employer ’s actions are based on actual fact or on their assumptions.
Don’t put up with it.
If you think you are the target of discrimination:
- Talk to your Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) rep if you have one.
Get in contact with your union.
Contact the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission to find out to lodge a discrimination complaint .
Contact a community legal centre. - As with everything else,keep a record of the incident, any witnesses, and what effects this has on your life and ability to work.
All employers are required to create a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment. These responsibilities are set out in a range of state and federal laws which help protect people from unlawful behaviour.
In addition, there are a range of Acts which cover employers such as: various state Occupational Health and Safety Acts, the Equal Opportunity in the Workplace Act, the Public Service Act, and the Workplace Relations Act to name but a few.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has a range of information and resources for anyone subjected to discrimination.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is responsible for the implementation of federal human rights and anti-discrimination law in Australia. The Commission administers five federal laws that cover discrimination and breaches of human rights:
- Age Discrimination Act 2004
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992
- Racial Discrimination Act 1975
- Sex Discrimination Act 1984
- Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986
The Commission also provides employers with information and resources to understand and meet their obligations under the legislation.
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