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Sex Discrimination
20 December 2022Media ReleaseNew workplace sexual harassment resources: Good practice indicators for employers, and guidelines on confidentiality clauses in settlements
The Respect@Work Council has published new guidelines on the use of confidentiality clauses in settling workplace sexual harassment cases, and good practice indicators to assist organisations prevent and respond to workplace sexual harassment. -
2 November 2020Webpage
About
We protect and promote human rights in Australia and internationally. The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory organisation, established by an act of Federal Parliament. -
10 February 2021Conciliation register
2019-07-01
The complainant alleged the respondent employment agency posted an advertisement seeking a ‘young’ security professional. The employment agency said a mistake had been made and there had been no intent to exclude any person from applying, or being considered, for the role on the ground of age. The agency undertook to amend the advertisement and deliver anti-discrimination training to new… -
14 January 2021Conciliation register
2019-05-13
The complainant has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette's syndrome, learning and developmental disability and generalised anxiety disorder. He claimed that, on his first day of employment as a truck driver with the respondent company, he told his manager about his disability and need for assistance with writing, computer work and learning new tasks. He alleged the company did… -
11 September 2020Conciliation register
2019-01-01
The complainant alleged that his application for employment as a senior network engineer was not successful because of his criminal record. The complainant was charged with assault in company but no conviction was recorded. The company claimed the complainant’s criminal record was inconsistent with the inherent requirements of the role, as the successful applicant would have contact with -
11 September 2020Conciliation register
2019-01-01
The complainant alleged that his application for employment as a senior network engineer was not successful because of his criminal record. The complainant was charged with assault in company but no conviction was recorded. The company claimed the complainant’s criminal record was inconsistent with the inherent requirements of the role, as the successful applicant would have contact with -
16 March 2022Conciliation register
2020-08-02
The complainant experiences chronic lower-back joint pain, depression, and anxiety and at times uses a walking stick. She worked as a driver for the respondent government department and claimed that the department did not provide her with an accessible parking space, asked her not to use her walking stick and did not otherwise accommodate her disability. She also alleged colleagues bullied… -
Sex Discrimination
2 November 2022Media Release
Support for workplaces to prevent and address sexual harassment
The Respect@Work Council, chaired by National Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, has launched a new website that will help employers prevent and respond to sexual harassment, and will support them to create gender inclusive, safe, and respectful workplaces. -
Complaint Information Service11 February 2020Webpage
Make an enquiry
The Commission's Information Services The Commission has two information services that you can contact for information about the Commission's complaint handling function. They are: The Respect@Work Information Service The National Information Service Currently, our Information Service phone lines are open Monday - Friday between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM Sydney time. Enquiries can be… -
10 February 2021Conciliation register
2020-01-02
The complainant took time off work with the respondent government authority and was diagnosed with motor-neurone disease. He said he contacted the authority to discuss a return to work and asked if the office was wheelchair accessible, given he now used a wheelchair for mobility. He alleged the authority required him to prove his diagnosis even though he had already provided a medical… -
30 September 2020Conciliation register
2019-02-13
The complainant worked for the respondent television production company as a crew member. She alleged a colleague sexually harassed her, including by making comments about her appearance and slapping her on her buttocks. She also alleged two other colleagues observed the conduct and one said 'nah, she wants it hey', to which the other said ' yeah mate she does' in relation to inferred sexual… -
Sex Discrimination
28 November 2022Media Release
Passage of ‘Respect@Work’ Bill is a major step in preventing harassment
The Bill creates a positive duty requiring employers to implement measures to prevent sexual harassment, sex discrimination and victimisation, and confers new regulatory powers on the Commission. -
Sex Discrimination
12 August 2022News story
Research commences for 5th National Survey on Workplace Sexual Harassment
The Australian Human Rights Commission is currently conducting the 5th National Survey on Workplace Sexual Harassment. The survey takes place around every four years and is our nation's key source of information on the prevalence, nature and reporting of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. The data aims to inform Australia's ongoing response to this issue, providing evidence to… -
Rights and Freedoms
12 October 2021Webpage
COVID-19 vaccinations and federal discrimination law
This page provides general information on COVID–19 vaccinations and federal discrimination law and is intended as a guide only. It gives guidance on the most frequently asked questions we receive on this subject. -
Rights and Freedoms
18 November 2020Webpage
What human rights are at particular risk of being restricted during a pandemic?
Learn how human rights were restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic and how vulnerable people and groups were subjected to more human rights incursions. -
Sex Discrimination
5 March 2021Webpage
Information - Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
Learn about the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces -
Commission – General
15 March 2024SpeechAustralian Human Rights Commission’s complaint handling jurisdiction
Civil Justice Research Conference 2019 Macquarie University, Sydney Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM [ Professor Croucher spoke to this paper] Abstract The complaint handling role of the Australian Human Rights Commission from time to time attracts some attention in the media—but not always for constructive reasons. This presentation set out the real story. It is one that is a worthy… -
Rights and Freedoms
29 July 2021Webpage
Face masks and federal discrimination law
At various times during the COVID-19 pandemic, state and territory governments in Australia have made it a requirement for people to wear a face mask in certain settings. The different rules and exemptions around face masks are set out in the relevant state and territory public health orders. The latest mask-wearing requirements can be found on the appropriate state and territory government… -
Sex Discrimination
17 January 2019Media Release
Workplace Sexual Harassment Inquiry - Call for limited waiver of NDAs
Former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, is calling on Australian employers to issue a limited waiver of confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for the purpose of allowing people to make a confidential submission to the National Inquiry into Workplace Sexual Harassment (the National Inquiry). The National Inquiry, supported by Government, is … -
Age Discrimination
17 January 2019Media ReleaseToo old to work at 50: Survey
A new survey on attitudes to employing older workers has found that up to 30 per cent of Australian employers are still reluctant to hire workers over a certain age, and for more than two thirds of this group, that age was over 50. The survey of more than 900 human resource professionals was conducted by the Australian HR Institute supported by the Australian Human Rights Commission. It…