Discrimination & Harassment

Discrimination, harrassment and bullying in the workplace are serious issues. Discrimination or harassment due to age, sex, pregnancy, carer's responsibilities, race, marital status, disability, religion, homosexuality and transgender are all illegal.

There are Federal and State Laws (listed below) that protect you from discriminsation and harrassment in the workplace. Workers who are discriminated or harrased at work are able to have their issues resolved under these laws.

Laws Protecting Workers from Discrimination

Federal Workplace Relations Act, 1996
NSW Industrial Relations Act, 1996
Anti-Discrimination Act, 1977
Sex Discrimination Act, 1984
Racial Discrimination Act, 1975
Racial Hatred Act, 1995

Also all awards and enterprise agreements contain Anti-Discrimination Clauses.

Examples of Harrasment

Racial Harassment
racist abuse, name-calling, gestures and graffiti in a public place based on the race, colour, national or ethnic origin of a person that is likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate.

Sexual Harassment
unwanted touching, sexual comments, sexual jokes, displaying sexual images, misuse of e-mail or Internet, any unwelcome or unwanted sexual behaviour which could reasonably be expected to make a person feel offended or humiliated.

Bullying
unfair and excessive criticism, public insults, ignoring opinions and constantly changing work standards or setting unrealistic work targets, undervaluing efforts.