QIEU Chapter Resources: Information Sheet 13
Anti-Discrimination
The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 stipulates that you are entitled to be treated fairly in your workplace. It is against the law to treat you unfairly because of any of the following:
Relationship or parental status; Race; Gender or gender identity; Religious belief or activity; Political belief or activity; Impairment; Trade union activity; Sexual preference; Pregnancy and breastfeeding needs; Family responsibilities; or Age.
It is also against the law to be treated unfairly because you are associated with someone from one of these groups.
Direct and Indirect Discrimination There are two forms of discrimination: direct and indirect. Direct discrimination is where a person is clearly discriminated against. For example, not being given a job because of your race. Indirect discrimination is not as clearly identifiable as it may exist through a rule or policy that applies to everyone in the workplace, but may be discriminatory to some people. For example, employees who do not access any carers leave may be entitled to a bonus at the end of the year. This is discriminatory against those people who have family responsibilities and need to utilise their carers leave.
Unlawful discrimination Not all discrimination is necessarily illegal. To be unlawful, the unfair treatment must be because of one of the reason listed above. It is also dependent on what you were doing when the unfair treatment happened. For example, the unfair treatment must have occurred in one of the following situations:
Last Updated: 06/11/2008
Workplace; School /College; Shop, restaurant or club; Looking for/purchasing accommodation and property; Arrangement credit, insurance, superannuation or a loan; Dealing with a service provider or business; or Dealing with a local or state council;
Additional Information? If you would like to know more anti-discrimination legislation, or you feel you have been discriminated against, please contact your union organiser or your union office: Brisbane Office Townsville Office Bundaberg Office
Last Updated: 06/11/2008
(07) 3839 7020 (07) 4772 6277 (07) 4132 8455