Resolved complaint (161) about disability discrimination in employment
Learn how a complaint (161) about disability discrimination in employment was resolved through conciliation.
Summary
- Year: 2025
- Relevant Act: Disability Discrimination Act
- Grounds: Disability
- Area(s): Employment
- Settlement terms:
- Apology - private
- Compensation
- Settlement amount: $2,500
About the complaint
The complainant has multiple sclerosis and was employed with the respondent state government department. She said she was subject to additional medical restrictions following a relapse and alleged she was told her team would not be happy with her because they would need to do additional work to cover for her.
She alleged that after returning from parental leave, her new manager told her another manager had said she was a liability due to taking leave because of her disability and that her former manager only hired her because 'he liked the broken ones'. The complainant alleged she was told the department was considering medically retiring her and she felt she had no option but to resign.
The department denied discriminating against the complainant but agreed to participate in conciliation.
The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the department write to the complainant apologising for the events giving rise to the complaint and pay her $2,500.
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This is a summary of a selected complaint that has been resolved through our conciliation process. It's designed to help people better understand how complaints might be resolved and what outcomes are possible.
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Please note:
- all complaints are de-identified
- complaints are resolved on a 'without admission of liability' basis
- some content may include confronting or offensive language.
