Resolved complaint (165) about pregnancy discrimination in employment
Learn how a complaint (165) about pregnancy discrimination in employment was resolved through conciliation.
Summary
- Year: 2025
- Relevant Act: Sex Discrimination Act
- Grounds: Pregnancy
- Area(s): Employment
- Settlement terms:
Compensation
Policy change/Change in practice
Training
- Settlement amount: $7,000
About the complaint
The complainant worked at the respondent furniture company. She alleged that when she informed the company she was pregnant, she was treated less favourably including by being bullied, being excluded and increasing her workload. She alleged the company terminated her employment just before she was due to commence maternity leave, telling her there was a downturn in the industry and there would be no position for her to return to.
The company denied the allegations and maintained the complainant's position was made redundant due to a downturn in the industry.
The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the company pay the complainant $7,000 as compensation for hurt, humiliation and distress. The company undertook to implement a formal parental leave policy and bullying and harassment policy, and to conduct bullying and harassment training for the Director and all employees of the organisation.
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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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- all complaints are de-identified
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