Unions can help you to fight discrimination.
Joining your first union is easy – simply call Australian Unions on 1300 486 466 or visit australianunions.org.au
Learn moreDiscrimination
Discrimination is when someone is not treated as fairly as someone else in a similar situation.
If you have what it takes to do the job, your employer has to give you the opportunity to show your worth, regardless of your:
- sexual preference
- religion
- political opinion
- race
And regardless of whether you:
- are a man or a woman
- have a physical or intellectual disability
- are a new migrant or from a migrant background
- are young or old
- are married or single.
Asking for particular information, such as marital status, childcare responsibilities or religion during an interview is illegal.
There are two types of discrimination – direct and indirect.
Direct
Direct discrimination is treating someone unequally (or unfairly) simply because they belong to a particular group or category of people. For example, you answer a job advertisement for a receptionist. You’re told over the phone that because you’re a man, you’d be wasting your time.
Indirect.
Indirect discrimination results when a requirement, rule, policy, practice or procedure which appears to treat everyone the same is applied, and it has an unfair effect on particular individuals or groups of people. For example, a job advertisement says that all applicants must have ten years experience in the field. (A young person could be well qualified but is ineligible for the job.)