1 December 2004
'Good practice, good business' - a step-by-step guide to a discrimination free workplace
Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Commissioner responsible for Age Discrimination, Pru Goward , has today launched a new employers' pack titled 'Good practice, good business' - eliminating discrimination and harassment in your workplace.
Commissioner Goward launched the new resources at the Australian Stock Exchange in Sydney along with the Managing Director and CEO of the Australian Stock Exchange, Mr Tony D'Aloisio.
"As employers you want to be able to dip into the biggest pool of workplace talent you can find. Falling birth-rates, stable immigration flows and a rapidly ageing population mean that the pool is changing shape," said Ms Goward. "It makes sense for employers to take a fresh look at older workers, at workers with family responsibilities, at workers whose first language is not English, at Indigenous workers and those with a disability."
'Good practice, good business' includes a CD-Rom, brochures, posters and a new 'Information for employers' website. The pack contains resources for employers working in large and small business, as well as information about age, race and disability discrimination, sexual harassment and pregnancy, paid maternity leave and workplace bullying.
"A dysfunctional workplace where racial discrimination may be rife, people are promoted because of their gender or denied training opportunities because of their age, means lower morale, lower productivity, higher staff turnover and higher absenteeism. Not to mention stress claims, court cases and countless hours of an employer's time sorting out the problems," Ms Goward said. "And of course, it can be harmful and distressing for the individual employees involved."
"For the employer, the inevitable consequence is added cost. A discrimination and harassment free workplace minimises costs to business - it's that simple."
The resources have been designed for use in the workplace and the package will be distributed widely through business and employer organisations, recruitment agencies, government departments and unions.
"I hope employers will download the CD onto their intranet for all employees to access and that they will make training on these issues an essential part of induction for new employees.
I also trust employers will find the resources useful and easy to use and that they will see the benefits of a diverse and motivated workforce," the Commissioner said.
Information for Employers online
Visit the Information for Employers website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/employers to download a range of resources for use in your workplace.
Order the 'Good practice, good business' employers' pack
If you would like to receive a 'Good practice, good business' employers' pack, contact HREOC's Publications Officer on Ph: (02) 9284 9600, Fax: (02) 9284 9611 or email: employers@humanrights.gov.au.
Media contact: Janine MacDonald (02) 9284 9880 / 0407 660 235 or Paul Oliver (02) 9284 9677 / 0408 469 347
Last updated 1 December 2004.
