ANTI-DISCRIMINATION Act 1977 NSW

Question 1

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ACT?

Answer 1

Put in place to promote equality and equity and eliminate the discrimination of individuals due to their age, disability, race, gender, homosexuality, carer’s responsibilities, sex including pregnancy & breast feeding, transgender status

Question 2

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ACT?

Answer 2

• Make it illegal for employers to discriminate between employees and job applicants, or to allow discrimination and harassment to occur within their organisation

Ensures all job applicants and employees are treated in the basis of their individual merit, and not because of irrelevant personal characteristics
To promote equality and equity amongst all

Question 3

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NON COMPLIANCE TO THE THE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ACT?

Answer 3

• Reduced productivity
• Negative work environment
• Negative publicity
• The cost of employees taking stress leave and possible workers compensation claims
• High cost in time and staff morale associated with sorting out a harassment grievance within the establishment

Question 4

WHAT ARE STRATEGIES FOR THE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ACT?

Answer 4

• Developing a culturally tolerant workplace through effective communication and training
• Hiring people from a diverse background to create cultural awareness
• Eliminate bias through de-identification, fair job delegation and roostering of shifts
• Training managers to ensure all job tasks are effectively distributed amongst all staff
• Mandating on going training for employees to ensure they are current and aware of changes
• Developing strong policies and codes of practice