EEO, OS&H and Ethics

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO)

Equal Employment is about:

• making sure that workplaces are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment, and
• providing programs to assist members of EEO groups.

EEO groups are people affected by past or continuing disadvantage or discrimination in employment. These groups are to include:

• women
• Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders
• members of racial, ethnic and religious groups
• people with an impairment

Discrimination is treating someone unfairly or harassing him or her because they belong to a particular group. Under the Equal Opportunity Act (1984), it is against the law in WA for any employer to discriminate against an employee or job candidate because of their: age; family responsibility; family status; gender history; impairment; martial status; political conviction; pregnancy; race (includes colour, descent, ethnic or national origin or nationality and may comprise two or more distinct races and the race or a relative or associate); religious conviction; sex and sexual orientation.

Both direct and indirect discrimination are against the law. Direct discrimination means that a person receives less favourable treatment than another person in same or similar circumstances. Indirect discrimination occurs when an apparently neutral rule, policy or practice can, in effect, have an adverse impact on a particular group and is not reasonable in the circumstances.

Employees have the right to:

• a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment
• equal access to benefits and conditions
• fair processes to deal with work-related complaints and grievances.

Employees have the responsibility to:

• act to prevent harassment and discrimination against others in the workplace
• respect differences among colleagues such as cultural and social diversity
• treat people fairly (don’t discriminate against or harass them).

Managers & supervisors have the responsibility to:

• take steps to ensure that all work practices and behaviours are fair and free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment
• provide employees with equal opportunity to apply for available jobs, training and development, higher duties and flexible working hours.
• ensure selection processes are based on merit, transparent and the methods used are consistent.