Anti-Discrimination Policy
1. Purpose
Peter Hewitt Care for Africa Foundation Inc (CfA) is committed to providing a workplace free of all forms of discrimination. It is an employee’s and or volunteer’s right (in this policy called “employee”) to be treated with dignity and respect and it is also the employee’s responsibility to treat others the same way.
CfA is committed to meeting its legislative obligations relating to discrimination, and will take all reasonable, practicable steps to provide and maintain a working environment free from behaviours and actions that may be discriminatory.
An internal grievance resolution process assists employees to raise issues of concern, and all complaints will be treated confidentially, seriously and sympathetically. No employee will be penalised or disadvantaged as a result of raising any genuine concern or complaint.
2. Application of this policy
This policy applies to all activities, and people involved in those activities, that take place:
- on work premises;
- elsewhere where activities are undertaken in the course of employment; and
- at work-related activities, such as social functions.
The policy applies to employees, contractors, customers and visitors.
Relevant and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against anyone found to have breached this policy
3. What is discrimination?
Discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably than another person as a result of that person’s individual characteristics, or because that person belongs to a particular group.
Discrimination on the basis of the following characteristics is unlawful:
a) race (including colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or ethno-religious origin);
b) sex (including marital status, pregnancy or potential pregnancy, breastfeeding);
c) sexuality (including sexual preference, transgender status or homosexuality);
d) disability (including physical, psychiatric or intellectual disabilities);
e) age;
f) illness or injury;
g) parental status or responsibilities as a carer; or
h) membership or non-membership of a union.
No employee is permitted to engage in discriminatory conduct in relation to his or her treatment of other employees, contractors, customers and visitors, (including members of the public).
Discrimination can be either direct or indirect.
4. What should employees who have a complaint do?
CfA aims to resolve all complaints about discrimination which may arise at the workplace. CfA can only do this if employees inform the company about their complaints.
CfA aims to treat all complaints about discrimination seriously, quickly and as confidentially as is reasonably possible.
If you think you are being unlawfully discriminated against, you should not ignore the conduct, hoping it will go away. If you can, you should speak to the person responsible for the conduct and ask that person to stop. If you do not feel that you can do this, or it doesn’t work, you should talk to your manager, or the CEO.
The CEO Diana Butler may be contacted at any time to discuss any complaint or enquiry. You may approach them for general advice or to discuss any issue.
CfA’s CEO may also investigate complaints. Depending on what you want and on the nature of the complaint, it might be appropriate for CfA to make a formal determination about what has happened, and to make a decision about what the consequences should be.
5. What should employees who have a complaint do?
Conduct which breaches this policy is unacceptable and, depending on the severity and circumstances, may lead to disciplinary action. This will apply regardless of the seniority of the particular employee involved.
CfA must take appropriate disciplinary action against an employee who is responsible for, or engages in, any form of unlawful discrimination.
Disciplinary action might include any of:
a) demotion;
b) a requirement to provide a written or verbal apology;
c) a formal warning;
d) a requirement to attend training or counseling; and
e) dismissal.
6. Further information?
If you require further information, contact the CEO, Diana Butler.
Approved By: Board of Management. Controlled Document — Printed Versions are not controlled. CFA