DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ON THE
BASIS OF CRIMINAL
RECORD
Click here to access:
- Summary of the Criminal Record Discussion Paper
- Criminal Record Discussion Paper
- Index of Submissions Received
- Human Rights Homepage
Submission No. 16 - Queensland Department of Education and the Arts
Submission received from: Ken Smith, Director-General
For further info contact: Mr John Ryan, Director, Workforce Standards and Performance, Tel: (07) 3237 0232
11 February 2005
Dr Sev Ozdowski DAM
Human Rights Commissioner
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
GPO Box 5218
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Dear Dr Ozdowski
Thank you for your letter received on 15 December 2004 seeking a contribution from this department in response to the discussion paper on `discrimination in employment on the basis of criminal record'. I sincerely apologise for the delay in replying to you.
I note that the Commission also wrote to the Department's former Employee Relations Services group seeking a response to the discussion paper. Please find attached a departmental response that addresses both the legal and human resource management implications involved in this important issue.
The Commission's work in this area is very important and welcome. Further research and discussion of discrimination in employment on the basis of criminal record will assist in clarifying and improving the quality of decision-making by employing authorities and will challenge stereotypes.
The Department of Education and the Arts is committed to ensuring fairness and equity in its employment practices. It also has a major responsibility to ensure the safety of vulnerable children who are in its care on a daily basis in schools and other educational settings. Sometimes situations arise where balancing these responsibilities makes decision-making challenging. The Department would welcome any information, tools or resources that could assist in this regard.
Please find attached materials addressing the specific questions posed in the discussion paper. (Available in PDF format only).
I invite you to contact Mr John Ryan, Director, Workforce Standards and Performance on telephone (07) 3237 0232, should you require further information or assistance with this matter.
Yours sincerely
Ken Smith
Director General