Every workplace may consist of many kinds of people, coming from different backgrounds, which makes it a diverse place for interaction. However, not everyone appreciates this diversity and this might result in discrimination against a particular group. At the workplace, discrimination occurs when biased decisions are made against people based on something, which is not under their control. These decisions can be related to promotion, hiring, termination, retribution, reward, assignment of a task, or any other work related scenarios. You should consult an experienced lawyer if you can’t find the information you are seeking online.
Types of Unlawful Discrimination
There are several types of discrimination factors a person might come across at the workplace, which consists of age, sex, race, marital status, religion, nationality, physical disability, sexual orientation or preference, political affiliation and anything else, which is beyond the control of an individual.
Adverse Actions
This includes any discriminatory behaviour. It can be an employee’s dismissal, harming an employee during the course of their employment, changing their position in order to harm them, giving preference to other employee over them, rejecting hiring a potential worker, or modification in the employment offer based on discrimination.
Laws and Legal Actions regarding Unlawful Discrimination
State and federal laws have been put in place to protect the employees and improve the workplace environment. Acts such as, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Equal Opportunity at Workplace Act, Public Service Act, and Fair Work Act, are a few that deal with such harassment. Other specific laws tackle different types of harassment, which are discussed as under:
Age Discrimination Act 2004
This act shields the oldest and youngest work force from facing discrimination at the office. The assumption, based on the traits of a particular age group, and treating them accordingly, is also part of this discrimination.
Disability Discrimination Act 1992
Unequal treatment of employees based on health related disabilities, which can be physical, intellectual, mental, sensory, or neurological; come under this act. The disabilities can include learning disorders, physical deformities, illnesses that hinder thought processes, and so on.
Racial Discrimination Act 1975
Racial discrimination includes offending acts, behaviour, or insults meant to degrade or bully people because of their race or ethnicity. This act deals with the biasness towards a particular race, colour, creed, ethnicity, nationality, and immigrant status as well.
Sex Discrimination Act 1984
Banning of sexual harassment is part of this act. Moreover, it includes partiality towards people because of their sexual orientation and preference, marital status, pregnancy or prospective pregnancy, breastfeeding, gender, and status in the hierarchy.
Fair Work Act 2009
This act includes similar concepts as the previous one, the discrimination factors being race, colour, cast, creed, religion, marital status, career task, pregnancy, nationality, social class, and physical or mental disability.
Belonging to a group, which is discriminated by the masses, will have a drastic impact on a person’s social and individual well-being. This is why the workplace must promote equality and a learning environment, which motivates people to thrive and achieve more in their professional careers. As such, these legal laws can help all organizations achieve an unbiased and fair workplace without any discrimination.
