Employment and discrimination

• Fair Work Commission is the national workplace relations tribunal. Phone: 1300 766 700.
• Fair Work Ombudsman provides initial information on employment rights and workplace industrial issues. Phone: 13 13 94.
• Law Access NSW can provide general information regarding unfair dismissal, unfair contracts and recovery of unpaid entitlements. Phone: 1300 888 529.
• Legal Aid NSW grants are available for unfair dismissal claims. Phone: 9219 5000.
• WorkCover NSW can provide information about bullying in the workplace. Phone: 13 10 50
• Employment Rights Legal Service is a free statewide service run by Inner City Legal Centre, Kingsford Legal Centre and Redfern Legal Centre. Phone: 02 8004 3270. 

John* is an Aboriginal man who lives in Redfern. He worked full-time as an editor in a large company.

During his employment, John suffered ongoing racial discrimination from his colleagues, who would tell John that famous Aboriginal Australians on television were “too pale” and make other racial slurs. John reported this discrimination to his manager and HR but no disciplinary action was taken.  

John became increasingly upset by these comments and the lack of support from his employer. After working for his employer for ten years, John was made redundant and didn’t know what to do about his situation.  

RLC assisted John to lodge a complaint of unlawful discrimination on the grounds of race at the Australian Human Rights Commission. John received $40,000 in damages and compensation for racial discrimination and his employer’s vicarious liability as they failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent the discrimination from occurring. 

*Name and identifying details have been changed.