Resolved complaint (188) about family responsibility discrimination in employment
Learn how a complaint (188) about family responsibility discrimination in employment was resolved through conciliation.
Summary
- Year: 2025
- Relevant Act: Disability Discrimination Act; Sex Discrimination Act
- Grounds: Disability; Family responsibilities
- Area(s): Employment
- Settlement terms:
- Compensation
- Statement of service
- Settlement amount: $10,000
About the complaint
The complainant has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and anxiety and is the sole carer of her 11-year-old child. She said that shortly after commencing with the respondent engineering company she asked to be able to work from home because she was ill. She claimed that, despite other staff being able to work from home, the Chief Financial Officer told her she could not because her role was office-based. She alleged that during a performance review she was told “It would be better for the company if you stopped having health and family issues.” She said she felt she had no option but to resign after the company rejected a request to work from home one day a week to accommodate her family responsibilities.
The company denied discriminating against the complainant.
The complaint was resolved by conciliation with an agreement that the company pay the complainant $10,000 and provide her with a statement of service.
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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
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