BULLYING CAN BE DISGUISED AS DISCRIMINATION

Telling your story is the best place to start.
At Anderson Gray, we’ve helped many people who have been discriminated against in the workplace.

DISCRIMINATION

At Anderson Gray Lawyers, we adopt a caring and compassionate approach to helping you deal with discrimination.  We’re here to listen to your story and offer the guidance you need to protect yourself and move forward.

WHAT IS DISCRIMINATION?

Broadly speaking, discrimination is less favourable treatment of a person because of a particular characteristic or “identifiable attribute”.  Less favourable treatment can include denying an employee access to opportunities, a demotion from their current position or dismissing an employee.

Put another way, if you are treated less favourably (than someone without your identifiable attribute) in the workplace because of one or more of the following attributes, then you will have been discriminated against at work.

The list of identifiable attributes generally includes:

  • age;
  • breastfeeding;
  • family responsibilities (responsibility to care for or support a child or other member of immediate family);
  • gender identity (a person identifies as a member of the opposite sex, or is of indeterminate sex and seeks to live as a member of a particular sex);
  • impairment (covers most physical and psychological conditions, and includes reliance of a guide, hearing, or assistance dog, wheelchair or other remedial device, as well as present and past impairments);
  • lawful sexual activity (a person’s status as a lawfully employed sex worker, whether or not self-employed);
  • parental status (includes being a step-parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, or guardian);
  • political belief or activity;
  • pregnancy;
  • race (includes colour, descent, ethnic origin, and nationality or national origin);
  • religious belief or activity (includes not holding a religious belief, and not engaging in lawful religious activity);
  • sex;
  • sexualiity (heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality);
  • trade union activity;
  • association with, or relation to, a person identified on the basis of any of the above attributes;

Please note that some exemptions can apply and so careful consideration of the facts of the alleged discrimination needs to be undertaken before a complaint is filed.

At Anderson Gray we take the time to hear your story and help determine if you have a genuine and legitimate claim.

What happens if I have a genuine complaint?

The first steps will depend on which state you live in but will generally involve an application or complaint being made to your State’s anti-discrimination body. There are usually time limits that apply to making this application. Once that application is made the relevant body will provide an opportunity for your case to be heard and attempt to achieve a resolution between you and your employer.

Alternatively, applications for discrimination can also be commenced in the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) or the Fair Work Commission and ultimately be determined by the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. Please note that different time limits apply – for example, a complaint to the AHRC, should be made within 6 months of the date of the discriminatory conduct.

And remember – you don’t have to be dismissed from work to commence a claim for discrimination.

Our lawyers work with you every step of the way through the complaint process including liaising with the relevant discrimination body and your employer, so that you never feel alone.

How is it resolved?

Anderson Gray Lawyers are skilled at successfully resolving discrimination claims for their clients.  We understand that each persons’ matter is different, and so our lawyers take the time to listen to you and work hard to help you achieve the best result we can.  Some of the ways a complaint can be resolved may include:

  1. compensation – this may include economic loss (loss of your wages) and/or general damages (for alleged hurt and humiliation).  Relevant case law is used by the court or commission to determine an appropriate amount of compensation;
  2. an apology (written and/or verbal) from your employer for what has happened to you;
  3. re-training for specified employees so that no other employee has to go through what you have been through; and/or
  4. a review of policies and procedures, to ensure your employer has the right process in place to protect their employees in the future.

Ready to tell us your story?

If you think you’ve been discriminated against at work, then please contact us at Anderson Gray Lawyers for a confidential, no obligation discussion about your situation.

We take the time to hear your story and help determine if you have a genuine and legitimate claim. We can then offer a variety of fee options to suit your situation which may include No Win No Fee or Fixed Fees.

DISCRIMINATION QLD

Queensland has strict laws designed to protect people from discrimination.

 

QLD DISCRIMINATION LAW

Discrimination law in Queensland is regulated by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld). In very broad language, discrimination is the less favourable treatment of a person because of an “identifiable attribute”.

Put another way, if you are treated less favourably (than someone without your identifiable attribute) in the workplace because of one or more of the following attributes, then you will have been discriminated against at work.

DISCRIMINATION NSW

New South Wales was one of the first states to implement strict rules to protect employees from discrimination. Unfortunately, instances of discrimination are still far too common in the workplace and elsewhere.

 

NSW DISCRIMINATION LAW

Discrimination law in New South Wales is regulated by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). Discrimination is generally described as occurring anytime there is less favourable treatment of a person because of an “identifiable attribute”.

In other words, if you are treated less favourably (than someone without your identifiable attribute) at work because of one or more of the attributes listed below, then you have been discriminated against at work and may be able to take action.

DISCRIMINATION VIC

Victoria has strict, state-based rules that make workplace discrimination illegal. In spite of this, discrimination and sexual harassment still happens way too often and it is usually up to the individual affected to take action to protect their legal rights and seek compensation if possible.

 

VIC DISCRIMINATION LAW

Discrimination law in Victoria is regulated by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Australia wide) and the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic). In Victoria it is against the law for someone to discriminate against you because of a personal characteristic that you have, or someone assumes that you have. These personal characteristics are things like age, race, disability, physical features and political beliefs

So if you believe that you have been treated less favourably (than someone without this characteristic) at work because of one or more of the attributes listed below, then you may have been discriminated against at work and you may be able to take legal action to prevent such treatment in the future.

Ready to tell us your story?

If you think you’ve been discriminated against at work, then please contact us at Anderson Gray Lawyers for a confidential, no obligation discussion about your situation.

We take the time to hear your story and help determine if you have a genuine and legitimate claim. We can then offer a variety of fee options to suit your situation which may include No Win No Fee or Fixed Fees.

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