Information for Employers - Good practice, good business: Eliminating discrimination and harassment in the workplace

Help for small business

No matter what size your business is, all employers are required to create a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment.

These responsibilities are set out in a range of Commonwealth and state and territory anti-discrimination laws - the goal being to protect people from unlawful behaviour.

A significant number of complaints received each year by the Commission are against small business, which reflects the unique working conditions that occur in many small business environments.

For instance, the potential for harassment to occur in the context of close working relationships, where employees are on familiar terms with each another, can be high.

That's why it's important that small business employers can put in place proper precautions.

This section features a:
     
Image: Arrow Fact sheets on discrimination and harassment based on:  
  Age Discrimination, Disability Discrimination and Harassment, Race Discrimination and Racial Hatred, Sex Discrimination and Harassment, Workplace Bullying  
     
Image: Arrow A guide to vicarious liability.As an employer, you may be liable for the actions of your staff. This guide helps you to understand what 'vicarious liability' is and the positive steps you can take to minimise the risks.  
     
Image: Arrow Anti discrimination policies and complaint handling for small business  
     
Image: Arrow Anti discrimination policies and complaint handling for very small business  
     
Image: Arrow Summary of state and federal anti-discrimination legislation, and the areas of public life which they cover.  
     
Image: Arrow Commission’s publications for employers, including a Publication Order Form.  
     
Image: Arrow Contact details for federal and state and territory anti-discrimination agencies  
     
Image: Arrow Links to business/employer organisations that provide training and support for managers and staff.  
     
 
Australian Human Rights Commission Send Feedback to: employers@humanrights.gov.au © Australian Human Rights Commission. Last updated: 1 December 2004.