Workers impacted by domestic violence to get better protection at work
Workers subjected to family and domestic violence will be given stronger protection against discrimination by their employer.
Workers subjected to family and domestic violence will be given stronger protection against discrimination by their employer, under changes to federal workplace laws.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said the government would amend the Fair Work Act to protect victims and survivors against workplace discrimination.
The proposed changes will prohibit employers from taking adverse action against employees because they have been subjected to family and domestic violence by making it a “protected attribute” under the act.
The changes will prohibit terms in enterprise agreements and modern awards that discriminate against a person on that basis.
“Violence doesn’t discriminate and neither should the law,” Mr Burke said in a speech to the University of Sydney on Thursday night.
“That’s why these proposed changes are so important – ensuring that workers are not penalised in any way if they disclose that they have been subjected to family and domestic violence.”
More Coverage
‘Affirmative consent model’ focus of national shift in rape laws
A review into Australia’s rape laws has praised a national shift towards affirmative consent models that require less ‘scrutiny’ of complainants in courts, and see greater prosecutions of nuanced sexual violence cases.
Job losses masked by care economy
More than 90,000 jobs have been shed in hospitality over the past year, but taxpayer-funded ‘care economy’ roles have masked the losses, driving a 375,000 jump in jobs being created.