Examples Of Racial Discrimination

Examples of racial discrimination are not confined to work. The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 covers most areas of public life, which is worth knowing because the same conduct is treated differently depending on where it happens.

• Employment. Screening out a name, allocating client-facing work by assumption, or dismissing racist remarks as banter.
• Housing. Refusing a rental application or setting different terms based on background.
• Goods and services. Being refused service, followed in a shop, or given worse treatment at a venue.
• Education. Different disciplinary treatment, or exclusion from opportunities.
• Public conduct. Under section 18C, acts reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate because of race, judged on effect rather than intent.

In a workplace the employer can also be liable for what employees do in connection with their work, unless it can show it took all reasonable steps to prevent it. The Australian Human Rights Commission sets out these rights. This is general information rather than legal advice.

See Sentrient’s cultural awareness training and equal employment opportunity course.