Changes to workplace discrimination laws – new law

Date : 31 Mar 2008

New laws aim to protect employees who ask employers about their workplace wages or conditions.

Equal opportunity law has been broadened to stop employers from discriminating against a worker who:

asks their employer for information about their workplace entitlements
expresses concern that they may not be receiving some entitlements that may have been allowed under an industrial award or agreement.

Employment entitlements are defined in the Equal Opportunity Act to include:

rights or entitlements that would have applied if the employee had been employed under an industrial agreement (like an award or workplace agreement, contract of service)
workplace agreements made under both state and Commonwealth law.

This change is additional to the current protection for workers who take part in collective industrial activity.

Complaints about less favourable treatment on the grounds of employment activity can be made to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.