Wednesday, 24 January 2007
HREOC reminds employers of need for discrimination free workplaces
Australian employers must continue to strive for workplaces free from discrimination and harassment in the post WorkChoices industrial landscape, President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), John von Doussa QC, said today.
"An increase in employment-related complaints to HREOC since the introduction of the Australian Government's new WorkChoices legislation sounds a timely reminder to all businesses, regardless of their size, that they must still adhere to federal and state equal opportunity laws," Mr von Doussa said.
"Both employers and employees should remember that all staff - casuals, probationers, contract workers, commission agents and full-and part-timers - can make a complaint to HREOC if they feel they have been discriminated against," Mr von Doussa said.
"HREOC will investigate and conciliate complaints impartially and deliver results in a non-adversarial and efficient manner.
"Additional funding has helped HREOC to ensure the complaint-handling process has not been stalled in any way by the increased workload and we continue to provide a timely and efficient complaint resolution process for employers and employees."
Mr von Doussa said HREOC's annual survey regarding satisfaction with the complaint process revealed that over 90 per cent of parties to a complaint, including employers and their representatives, were satisfied with the service they received. The majority rated the service as very good or excellent and felt the Commission dealt with matters in a timely manner.
HREOC's laws cover discrimination in employment based on sex, pregnancy, marital status or family responsibilities; race, colour, national origin, immigrant status, ethnic origin or descent; actual or imputed disability, physical, intellectual and psychiatric disability, work related injury, people of all ages including mature aged or youth discrimination, religion, political opinion, trade union activity, sexual preference and criminal record.
Employers can access help on addressing discrimination and harassment in the workplace by referring to HREOC's 'Good Practice, Good Business' information resource which can be found at www.humanrights.gov.au/info_for_employers.
Employees can find information about their rights at http://www.humanrights.gov.au/info_for_employees/index.html.
Employees and employers can also contact HREOC's complaints Information Service on 1300 656 419 or 02 9284 9888 for further information about their rights and responsibilities.
Media contact: Louise McDermott (02) 9284 9851 or 0419 258 597
Last updated 30 January, 2008
