These procedures must be read in conjunction with the Equal Opportunity, Discrimination and Harassment Policy.
2. Scope
These procedures apply to all employees.
Guidance
This policy applies to all worksites, including off-site and after-hours work-related activities such as training courses, conferences, telephone calls, emails, social media and social functions.
3. Procedures
3.1 Responsibilities of Executive Directors, Directors of Education and Directors
Executive Directors, Directors of Education and Directors will:
- demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour;
- provide strategic leadership and system-level implementation of measures to facilitate and promote equal employment opportunity; and the provision of goods, services and facilities, work and learning environments that are free of discrimination and harassment;
- inform principals and line managers of their responsibilities under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, related legislation and policies and the Department’s Equity and Diversity Inclusion Plan; and
- respond to grievances related to this policy if:
- grievances have not been resolved at the school or worksite;
- the principal or line manager is the subject of the grievance; and
- the principal or line manager has a conflict of interest.
Guidance
Vicarious liablilty may apply under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 for acts of unlawful discrimination and harassment by employees if it can be shown that the employer did not take all reasonable steps to prevent the employee from doing unlawful acts.
The perception of employees’ inclusive behaviour and respect for people from diversity groups is monitored by the annual Public Sector Commission’s Employee Perception Survey, by the number of complaints lodged with the Equal Opportunity Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission, and by matters raised through the Department’s Standards and Integrity directorate.
Equal opportunity matters are dealt with under the Department’s Grievance Framework.
Information and support resources:
- Appendix A – Legislation and Grounds of Discrimination; and
- Appendix B – Support Resources.
3.2 Responsibilities of Principals and Line Managers
Principals and line managers will:
- demonstrate professional, ethical and inclusive behaviour;
- address equal opportunity, discrimination and harassment in work and learning environments by:
- informing employees of relevant legislation, policies and support services in an induction process and as required during their employment;
- monitoring the workplace for inappropriate conduct and address any occurrences;
- implementing strategies and review, where necessary, relevant workplace practices to prevent and address issues for students and employees;
- responding promptly to allegations or incidents involving students, employees and visitors (including contractors, parents/carers, volunteers, visitors and community members);
- facilitating grievance resolution; and
- report incidents of discrimination, harassment and victimisation that may constitute employee misconduct to Standards and Integrity.
Guidance
Vicarious liablilty may apply under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 for acts of unlawful discrimination and harassment by employees if it can be shown that the employer did not take all reasonable steps to prevent the employee from doing unlawful acts.
Equal opportunity matters are dealt with under the Department’s Grievance Framework.
Information and support resources:
- Appendix A – Legislation and Grounds of Discrimination; and
- Appendix B – Support Resources.
3.2.1 Equal opportunity and accommodating special needs
Principals and line managers will:
- provide equal opportunity and access to facilities, services or opportunities to meet special needs or overcome barriers to employment and education, where reasonable and practicable;
- make reasonable adjustments for persons with disability in the recruitment process and/or school or work environment;
- maintain confidentiality of information relating to a person’s impairment/disability in the recruitment process and workplace, unless the employee gives written consent to disclose information to their colleagues; and
- accommodate students and staff who request to bring their child/children into the school or workplace in exceptional circumstances, where possible, after considering factors in Appendix D.
Guidance
The Equal Opportunity Act 1984 recognises that it is not unlawful to discriminate in favour of a particular group of people on the grounds of sex, marital status, pregnancy, breastfeeding, sexual orientation, race, age, impairment and family responsibility or status by implementing special measures intended to achieve equality. Providing for special needs of a person on these grounds is in the context of employment, education, training or welfare.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 prescribes the Disability Standards for Education 2005 that provides information and guidance for education providers about their obligations and the rights of students with disability and their families. Online professional learning (staff only) is available for staff.
The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 applies to students and allows for special measures to achieve substantive equality on the grounds of gender identity, intersex status and relationship status.
Resources relating to accommodating special needs are at Appendix B – Support Resources.
3.2.2 Additional responsibilities of Principals
Principals will:
- provide leadership that promotes equity, diversity and inclusivity in the teaching and learning program and within the school community;
- report all actual or alleged incidents of sexual harassment of students by employees to Standards and Integrity in accordance with the Child Protection in Department of Education Sites; and
- respond to any allegations or incidents of sexual harassment of employees by students
Guidance
Students’ and employees’ legal rights to work and learning environments free of discrimination and harassment is promoted by the principal within the school community.
The Equal Opportunity Act 1984 does not apply to student-to-student or student-to-staff sexual harassment. School-based behaviour support strategies, in the context of the Student Behaviour in Public Schools Policy, are used to address student behaviour involving student-to-student and student-to-staff sexual harassment.
Under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 it is unlawful for a student 16 years or older to sexually harass another student or staff member. Students and employees can lodge a sexual harassment complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Principals should provide teachers with professional learning that enables:
- countering of racism and discrimination in teaching and learning programs and management of student behaviour;
- strengthening mutual respect and understanding between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation; and
- integrating knowledge and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as people from other culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, into teaching and learning programs.
The Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework sets expected standards for all staff when working with Aboriginal students, their parents and families, and communities.
The online Aboriginal Cultural Awareness course assists staff build their understanding of Aboriginal perspectives and develop relationships with Aboriginal students and their families. The course is available for employees via the Department’s Professional Learning tab on Ikon (staff only).
3.3 Responsibilities of employees
All employees will:
- demonstrate professional, ethical and inclusive behaviour;
- report incidents of discrimination or harassment to their principal or line manager (or their superordinate, if the principal or line manager is the subject of the grievance) where personal resolution of the issue is not suitable or possible;
- participate in grievance resolution processes and investigations and comply with resolution agreements or decisions;
- maintain confidentiality in relation to a grievance, with information only divulged to those involved in the grievance process;
- report incidents of sexual harassment of employees by students to the principal;
- seek approval from their principal or line manager prior to bringing their child/children into the workplace in exceptional circumstances; and
- discuss workplace adjustments or accommodation of special needs related to the grounds of discrimination with their principal or line manager.
Guidance
Confidentiality requirements do not prevent employees from seeking advice or discussing the matter with a support person or counsellor.
- Staff with an impairment or disability can access information about workplace support, adjustments and funding assistance (staff only) from their principal or line manager and recruit and employ people with disability (staff only).
- Appendix B provides information related to:
- the Family and Domestic Violence Leave Guidelines that outline additional leave
- provisions and support for staff experiencing family and domestic violence
- breastfeeding at work (staff only)
- Employee Assistance Program (staff only)
- Grievance Framework – includes resolution options and support for staff.
- Equal Opportunity Contact Officers (staff only) support staff with information about equal opportunity matters and grievance processes within the context of workplace discrimination, harassment and bullying – see Appendix C.
- Appendix D provides information related to bringing children into the workplace in exceptional circumstances.
Expected standards of professional and ethical behaviour are detailed in the Department’s:
- Code of Conduct and Standards (staff only);
- Bullying in the Workplace Policy; and
- Staff Conduct and Discipline Policy.
Under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984:
- confidentiality of sexual harassment complaints in education and employment is required (section 165);
- providing false or misleading information is unlawful (section 159); and
- victimising a complainant or witness is unlawful (section 67).
4. Definitions
Direct discrimination is when a person is treated less favourably than another person, in the same or similar circumstances, on one or more of the grounds and in one of the areas of public life covered by the Equal Opportunity Act 1984.
Indirect discrimination occurs when an apparently neutral rule, policy, practice or procedure has a negative effect on a substantially higher proportion of people with a particular attribute or characteristic compared to people without the attribute/characteristic, and the rule is unreasonable in the circumstances.
Refer to Appendix A for the grounds of discrimination.
A term used to acknowledge differences between people in the community and where work practices are adapted to create an inclusive environment in which those differences are valued.
The process by which all existing and potential employees are treated fairly and equitably, and based only on their particular skills and attributes in regard to their capacity to perform a job.
An issue, concern or complaint raised by an employee that relates to actions or behaviour of another employee, a part of the organisation, a policy or a decision.
A current, past or assumed physical, intellectual or mental disability.
Specific definitions are available in section 4 of the:
- Equal Opportunity Act 1984 under impairment; and
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992 under disability
Racial harassment is unlawful under the Equal Opportunity Act when a person threatens, abuses, insults or taunts another person because of his or her race, and that other person is disadvantaged, or has reasonable grounds for believing that he or she will be disadvantaged, by taking objection. Racial harassment is unlawful in the areas of employment, education, and accommodation.
Sexual harassment under the Equal Opportunity Act occurs when a person makes an unwelcome sexual advance or request for sexual favours, or engages in other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, towards another person and that person is disadvantaged, or has reasonable grounds for believing he or she will be disadvantaged, by taking objection. Sexual harassment is unlawful in the areas of employment, education, and accommodation
The person to whom an individual’s line manager reports or a more senior manager.
Under the Equal Opportunity Act, a person can be held liable for acts of unlawful discrimination and harassment done by an employee or agent, if it can be shown that the person did not take all reasonable steps to prevent the employee or agent from doing the unlawful acts.
Victimisation includes threatening, harassing or punishing a person in any way because they have objected to the discriminatory manner in which they have been treated. It applies to anyone who has made a complaint or intends to make a complaint, and anyone giving evidence about a complaint on behalf of another person.
Bullying is repeated, unreasonable or inappropriate behaviour directed towards a worker, or group of workers, that creates a risk to safety and health.
5. Related documents
Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986
Australian Human Rights Commission Regulations 1989
Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913
Disability Discrimination Act 1992
Disability Standards for Education 2005
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984
Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003
Public Sector Management Act 1994
Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework
Code of Conduct and Standards (staff only)
Commissioner’s Instruction No. 7 - Code of Ethics
Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
Equity and Diversity Management Plan 2021-2025
Family and Domestic Violence Leave Guidelines
Guidelines for supporting sexuality and gender diversity in schools
National Disability Strategy 2021-2031
Policy Framework for Substantive Equality
Premier’s Circular 2021/11 Family and Domestic Violence – Paid Leave and Workplace Support
Public Sector Commission: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Action Plan to improve WA Public Sector Employment Outcomes 2020–2025
Public Sector Standards in Human Resource Management
Strategic directions for public schools 2020-2024
Substantive Equality Guidelines
Support gender and sexually diverse students (staff only)
6. Contact information
Policy manager:
Director, Workforce Policy and Coordination
Policy contact officer:
Manager, Workforce Policy
T: (08) 9264 5081
Other:
Standards and Integrity
T: 1800 655 985
7. History of changes
| Effective date | Last update date | Procedure version no. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April 2014 | 2.0 | ||
| These new procedures support the Equal Opportunity, Discrimination and Harassment policy that replaces the Equal Employment Opportunity/Diversity, Anti-Racism, Workplace Sexual Harassment and Employment of People with Disabilities policies. Corp Ex endorsement 13.2.2014. | |||
| 1 April 2014 | 3 September 2014 | 2.1 | |
| Minor changes to contact information D14/0423587 | |||
| 1 April 2014 | 19 December 2014 | 2.2 | |
| Minor changes to contact information D14/0556672 | |||
| 1 April 2014 | 22 January 2016 | 2.3 | |
| Minor changes to guidance in ss3.2, 3.3, 3.4, definitions, contact information, appendices and updated links D16/0025669 | |||
| 1 April 2014 | 9 March 2017 | 2.4 | |
| Minor changes to replace references to Substantive Equality Policy with Substantive Equality Guidelines and updated links D17/0104478 | |||
| 8 May 2018 | 3.0 | ||
| These procedures support the Equal Opportunity, Discrimination and Harassment policy which has undergone a major review. Endorsed by the Director General at Corporate Executive on 4 April 2018. | |||
| 8 May 2018 | 22 April 2020 | 3.1 | |
| Minor changes to update links, related documents and include additional guidance information. D20/0201954 | |||
| 8 May 2018 | 15 January 2021 | 3.2 | |
| Minor changes to replace the Regional Executive Director position title with Director of Education D20/0647278. | |||
| 8 May 2018 | 9 August 2021 | 3.3 | |
| Minor changes to update links, related documents and guidance information. D21/0436131 | |||
| 8 May 2018 | 12 August 2021 | 3.4 | |
| Minor change. Removal of Reconciliation from Other Documents. D21/0444045 | |||
| 8 May 2018 | 25 March 2022 | 3.5 | |
| Minor change to Appendix A to legislation reference D22/0235139 | |||
| 8 May 2018 | 12 June 2023 | 3.6 | |
| Minor changes to Page 5 (Aboriginal Cultural course to Aboriginal Awareness course), and updated titles and broken links. Appendix B information updated and broken link in Appendix C updated (D23/1206633). | |||
8. Appendices
Appendix A: Legislation and grounds of discrimination (PDF file - 31.9kB)
Appendix B: Support resources (PDF file - 151.1kB)
Appendix C: Role of equal opportunity contact officers (PDF file - 66kB)
Appendix D: Family responsibility - children in the workplace guidelines (PDF file - 20.1kB)
9. More information
Appendices
Appendix A: Legislation and grounds of discrimination
Appendix B: Support resources
Appendix C: Role of equal opportunity contact officers
Appendix D: Family responsibility - children in the workplace guidelines
This procedure:
Equal Opportunity, Discrimination and Harassment Procedures v3.6
Please ensure you also download the policy supported by this procedure.
Supported policy:
Equal Opportunity, Discrimination and Harassment Policy
Procedure review date
8 May 2021
Procedure last updated
12 June 2023