Our tenth Annual Report is now available on our website, this report covers the activities of the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009
http://www.antidiscrimination.tas.gov.au/publications/annual_reports
The new pregnancy brochure is now available on our website, for copies contact the office or download from http://www.antidiscrimination.tas.gov.au/publications
The below session is being conducted by our team of Investigation Officers, register soon to avoid missing out.
TRAPS TO AVOID
Sexual harassment &
Discrimination are unlawful
FREE SESSION –
Limited seats – must register
Date: Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Time: 3.00pm – 4.30pm
Venue: Hearing Room
The Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner
First Floor, 54 Victoria Street, Hobart
RSVP by 13 November 2009
Telephone: 6233 4841
Email:
antidiscrimination@justice.tas.gov.au
Gabrielle was asked to leave a café because she was breastfeeding her four-month old
baby. Is this discrimination?
Olga is studying a course at college one day a week and asked to have a room to
breastfeed her 6-month old in private. She doesn't want to use the toilets because it is
unhygienic and there is no parenting room. Is this unlawful?
Eve has returned to work after maternity leave. Her baby is at home being cared for,
but she needs to express milk at work. A colleague has complained that the expressed
milk she keeps in the fridge in the tearoom until she goes home at night offends him.
Eve's boss has asked her to stop doing this. Is this discrimination?
Judith was breastfeeding her baby when her landlord came to collect the rent. While he
was there, he told her to "put her boobs away." Judith feels not only discriminated
against, but also very offended. What can she do?
If anybody would like any more information about breastfeeding discrimination, or any other discrimination matters or would like to lodge a complaint, please call the Office on 6233 4841 or 1300 305 062. You can also check out our website at www.antidiscrimination.tas.gov.au.
There is no cost to lodge a complaint with our office and it is confidential..
Edwards v Hillier & Educang Ltd t/as Forest Lake College [2006] QADT 34 (11 August 2006)
Job transfer amounted to pregnancy discrimination
The complainant had been working part-time as the school’s registrar, job sharing with another woman. The school decided that the job should revert to being a full-time job performed by one person. Both women applied for the job, but the other one was appointed to it. The complainant was then offered an accounts position for which she had no qualifications and experience, and which had a much lower rate of pay. The school, aware that she was pregnant, justified this offer by claiming that the job would enable her to manage her pregnancy at work more easily.
The complainant was a qualified teacher, and there was evidence that the school had suitable teaching positions available that also provided flexibility to assist her to manage her pregnancy. However, the school refused to offer any teaching positions to the complainant.
The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal found that, while the school had genuinely formed the view that the registrar’s position should be full-time, and that the other employee was qualified to perform the job, it had discriminated against the complainant by dismissing her and only offering her the lower-status position as an alternative.
Damages of $47,250 were awarded to the complainant.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/qld/QADT/2006/34.html
Discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual harassment in the area of employment
The complainant alleged discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual harassment because she was asked to undertake sexualised activities as part of her employment duties. The complaint was resolved confidentially at conciliation, with the respondent providing a written apology to the complainant and $1,000.
|
COURSE |
DATES |
LOCATION |
TIMES |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Contact Officer/Person Role |
Monday 30th November&Tuesday 1st December |
Launceston |
1.00pm - 5.00pm&9.00am - 2.00pm |
$400.00 |
For more information please go to;
http://www.antidiscrimination.tas.gov.au/training_calendar
or to register for a training course; http://www.antidiscrimination.tas.gov.au/forms
Human Rights Day marks the proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that recognises the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.
For over 20 years the Tasmanian Human Rights Week Organising Committee, comprised of representatives of organisations and enthusiastic individuals has encouraged schools, government departments and community groups to mark Human Rights Day and the surrounding week with events and activities - celebrations, lectures, studies, performances, showing a DVD on a human rights theme in your workplace.
We invite you to organise an event or activity and let us know what you plan to do.
We publish a calendar of events for Human Rights Week.
Please let us know how you plan to be involved
yabbot@reltas.com.au
talvin@bigpond.net.au
ccox@newportwildman.com.au
santi.mariso@justice.tas.gov.au
Date: Friday 4th December 12.30pm-1.10pm
Start and Finish: Starts at the fountain roundabout off Liverpool St near the ABC Centre and goes to Parliament House lawns for speeches and sausage sizzle)
Bring a banner or placard with a RIGHT for which you want to stand up but remember it must be in the Universal Declaration of Rights.
For further information:
talvin@bigpond.net.au
pinferim@hobartcity.com.au
Every Australian needs to be able to connect with family, friends and work, along with their own personal interests and local community in order to feel socially included, and an intrinsic part of the fabric of Australian society and culture.
Social Inclusion Week is being co-ordinated by Jonathon Welch, founding music director of the Choir of Hard Knocks.
For more information: http://www.socialinclusionweek.com.au/
The Migrant Resource Centre, Multicultural Council of Tasmania (MCoT) and TasCOSS invite you to a special forum to discuss issues for Tasmanian multicultural communities in next year’s State Election.
Local candidates in the State Election from all major political parties will be in attendance.
What are the important issues for Tasmanians from a multicultural or migrant background?
This is your chance to have your say on the important issues for you and your community.
This debate is free and refreshments will be provided.
http://www.ourisland.tascoss.org.au/Events/MulticulturalVoicesForumHobart/tabid/104/Default.aspx
Nominations for award recipients can be made by obtaining a Nomination
Form from Mental Health Services by ringing 6230 7780
or can be
downloaded from the Department of Health and Human Services website
http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/
(type in under search “Tasmanian LIFE Awards”)
Closing Date 6 November 2009
To lodge a complaint or seek further information, contact the office or visit the website. Please note the office is unable to provide legal advice to parties of a complaint.
Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner
Level 1, 54 Victoria Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000
GPO Box 197, Hobart, Tasmania 7001
Telephone 1300 305 062 (local call) or (03) 6233 4841
Facsimile (03) 6233 5333
TTY (03) 6233 3122
Email antidiscrimination@justice.tas.gov.au
Website www.antidiscrimination.tas.gov.au
Please advise the office prior to an appointment if you require special assistance or the services of an Interpreter /Auslan.
Readers who have particular topics they wish to know more about or items to include in the next edition are encouraged to contact the Editor of this publication.
Any comments/feedback about the newsletter to ensure it is a useful resource and information-sharing tool for our readers would be welcomed.
Newsletter editor: Roz Smart telephone: (03) 6233 7832 or email roz.smart@justice.tas.gov.au
The views expressed in articles by external contributors are not necessarily endorsed by the OADC and no responsibility is accepted by the OADC for the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter.
