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Resolved complaint (297) about racial discrimination in employment

Learn how a complaint (297) about racial discrimination in employment was resolved through conciliation.

Race discrimination 21 October 2026

Summary

  • Year: 2026
  • Relevant Act: Racial Discrimination Act
  • Grounds: Descent; Ethnic origin; National origin/extraction; Race
  • Area(s): Employment; Other section 9
  • Settlement terms:
    • Employment - revised terms and conditions

About the complaint

The complainant is Sikh and wears a turban. The complainant worked as a truck driver and made a delivery to the respondent food company. He alleged the company denied him access to its warehouse because he would not remove his turban, which is significant to Sikhism, to put on a hard hat.

On being informed of the complaint, the company agreed to participate in conciliation to try to resolve the complaint.

The complaint was resolved with an agreement that Sikh truck drivers be permitted to wear their turban and be exempt from the requirement to wear hard hats on all the company’s sites when collecting or delivering goods.

Guidance on the use of these summaries

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.

These summaries are for general guidance only and are not legal advice. If you need advice about your situation, you should seek independent legal support.

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.

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