How Do You Deal With Unfair Discrimination In The Workplace

How do you deal with unfair discrimination in the workplace inside your own organisation? Most policies describe a route, and most people enter it at the wrong point.

The default is to tell your direct manager. That is right unless your manager is involved in the matter, made the decision under complaint, or reports to the person who did.

Almost every organisation has alternatives, even where the policy does not name them clearly. Your manager’s manager. HR directly. A contact officer or designated support person. A whistleblower or external hotline. A union delegate. A board member or director in a small organisation.

You are not required to raise it with the person involved first, and a policy suggesting otherwise does not override that.

Ask what the alternative routes are before you use one. That question alone is not a complaint.

The Australian Human Rights Commission explains the options. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s workplace policy templates and EEO training course.