Independent Schools Victoria Compliance Framework

Employer obligations under a variety of Acts.

Workplace Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying and tagging

Please scroll to the bottom of the page for contacts and links

Do you need to comply?

Yes, under the provisions of the various Acts listed below.

Conditions of compliance

Issues of bullying, discrimination and harassment should be taken seriously and be dealt with in an appropriate manner. In failing to deal with issues of workplace harassment, bullying and discrimination, an employer could be in breach of the following:

• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth.)
• Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth.)
• Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth.)
• Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth.)
• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth.)
• Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth.)
• Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 (Cth.)
• Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (Vic.)
• Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic.)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic.)

Victorian WorkCover Authority Prevention of Bullying and Violence at Work (Note: this is a guidance note only and is not legislation). Please click here to go to the WorkCover Authority's website.

If you have to comply, what do you have to do?

All employers should have a policy in place that deals with bullying, harassment and discrimination at the workplace level. All employers should provide training for all employees in relation to what does and does not constitute bullying, harassment and discrimination. Such a policy and training needs to be in place as a minimum to avoid a claim that an employer is vicariously liable for the conduct of individual employees.

Who will help you?

Independent Schools Victoria contacts:

Kerri Knopp
Director, Strategic Relations
Ph. 03 9825 7210
kerri.knopp@ais.vic.edu.au

Sandro Mazzotta
Senior Workplace Relations Advisor
Ph. 03 9825 7206
sandro.mazzotta@ais.vic.edu.au

Sarah Matar
Workplace Relations Adviser
Ph. 03 9825 7215
sarah.matar@ais.vic.edu.au

A sample policy and details of training can be found on the Independent Schools Victoria website. Click here to access the Independent Schools Victoria website (password required).

Submitted 28/9/2006, edited 24/8/2009.