Resolved complaint (250) about racial hatred in employment
Learn how a complaint (250) about racial hatred in employment was resolved through conciliation.
Summary
- Year: 2025
- Relevant Act: Racial Discrimination Act
- Grounds: Ethnic origin; National origin/extraction; Race; Racial hatred
- Area(s): Employment; Racial hatred
- Settlement terms:
- Compensation
- Settlement amount: $10,100
About the complaint
The complainant is of African descent and worked on a casual basis for the respondent mining company as an Advanced Rigger. He alleged a colleague made comments such as 'Why are you so f***ing lazy? Go back to Africa where you came from'. He alleged the company did not take action in response to complaints about the comments and then did not offer him any more shifts.
The company said that an internal investigation did not substantiate the allegations outlined in the complaint, but found the complainant’s colleague had engaged in other conduct towards the complainant that was inconsistent with its policies and procedures.
The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the company pay the complainant approximately $10,100. The complainant’s former colleague agreed to write to the complainant acknowledging he behaved contrary to the company’s policies and procedures and expressing regret for any impact this had on the complainant.
The complainant is of African descent and worked on a casual basis for the respondent mining company as an Advanced Rigger. He alleged a colleague made comments such as 'Why are you so f***ing lazy? Go back to Africa where you came from'. He alleged the company did not take action in response to complaints about the comments and then did not offer him any more shifts.
The company said that an internal investigation did not substantiate the allegations outlined in the complaint, but found the complainant’s colleague had engaged in other conduct towards the complainant that was inconsistent with its policies and procedures.
The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the company pay the complainant approximately $10,100. The complainant’s former colleague agreed to write to the complainant acknowledging he behaved contrary to the company’s policies and procedures and expressing regret for any impact this had on the complainant.
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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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