Topics: Your rights at work
It is unlawful for any employer, large or small, to discriminate against you even if you are on probation, are an apprentice or trainee, work as a casual or permanent employee, or work part-time or full time. These laws apply across Australia.
You can make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission if you have been discriminated against because of your sex, race, age, religion, disability, sexual preference, criminal record, trade union activity or political opinion, in employment.
All types of employers and employment relationships are covered, including small business, Commonwealth employees, state government employees (except under the Sex Discrimination Act), private sector, contract workers and commission agents, and recruitment and application processes arranged through recruitment and employment agencies.
The Commission’s ‘rightsED’ resources/activities around your rights at work:
Useful Commission resources:
- Good Practice, Good Business – employer resources
- Know your rights: Age discrimination brochure
- It’s Your Right! ESL resources (designed for adult migrants)
- Know your rights at work web-section
- Help for young people: Don’t cop discrimination web-section
- Corporate social responsibility fact sheets
External resources:
- State and territory anti-discrimination agencies
- Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
- Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
- Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency
- Fair Work Australia
- JobAccess
Complaints Handling Service or call 1300 656 419
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