What is sex discrimination?

Any unequal treatment in your job due to your gender, or circumstances specific to gender such as pregnancy/potential pregnancy, marital status or family responsibilities, is sex discrimination.

It can include, but is not limited to, you being:

• Unfairly dismissed.
• Denied promotion.
• Getting poorer employment conditions.
• Denied equal access to training.
• Treated badly because you are breastfeeding.
• Treated badly or fired because of carer’s or family responsibilities

If any of these apply to you don’t stand or it. You may have grounds to lodge a formal complaint, and the Australian Workers’ Union can help.

Contact your workplace AWU delegate or health and safety rep, or call your branch on the numbers below. And if you are not a member, join your union!

What about sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour that offends, humiliates or intimidates you.

It can occur in any industry, in any location and at any level, and can cause you immense financial, social, emotional, physical, and psychological harm.

Sexual harassment can include, but is not limited to:

• Staring or leering.
• Unwanted familiarity, and touching.
• Jokes and comments of a sexual nature.
• Verbal abuse or insults of a sexual nature.
• Inappropriate or sexual questions.
• Displaying digital or printed material of a sexual nature,
• Sexually explicit emails or text messages.
• Inappropriate behaviour via social networking.
• Accessing sexually explicit material online.
• Requests for sex or other unwanted advances.
• Behaviour that may also be an offence under criminal law.

What can I do?

There is no excuse for inappropriate behaviour.

And with more women in the traditionally male-dominated heavy industries and more men in the traditionally female-dominated community sector, more members are being exposed to inappropriate behaviour in their workplaces.

The Australian Workers’ Union condemns any form of sexual discrimination or harassment, so if it is happening to you, or a workmate, don’t cop it.

Contact your workplace AWU delegate or health and safety rep, or call your branch on the numbers below. And if you are not a member, join your union!

Can the AWU really help?

Workers are protected by laws governing the conduct of all employees.

If you believe you are being sexually harassed or discriminated against, or not being treated equally or fairly in your workplace, the AWU has experts who can advise you and help you through any complaints process you may choose to take.

And if you think you are earning less than fellow male employees in the same role, just because you are a woman, we can help you too.

So stand up for yourself and your co-workers. Contact your workplace AWU delegate or health and safety rep, or call your branch on the numbers below. And if you are not a member, join your union!

Queensland Branch: 1800 298 753 (toll-free).

NSW Branch: 1300 763 223 (toll-free).

Victoria Branch: 1300 362 298 (toll-free).

SA Branch: (08) 8360 1900

WA Branch: 1800 810 723 (toll-free).

Tasmania Branch: 1300 795 677 (toll-free).