What Is Gender Discrimination

What is gender discrimination? It is being treated less favourably, or disadvantaged by a rule, because of sex, gender identity or intersex status.

The scope is wider than the way the term is normally used. It covers men, and claims by men are a real if smaller share. It covers transgender and gender diverse people, including on matters like names, records and facilities. And it covers intersex status as a separate attribute.

It also extends beyond employment, into education, accommodation and the provision of goods and services, which matters for organisations that serve the public as well as employ people.

Within a workplace, the most common forms are structural rather than personal, sitting in recruitment, pay, promotion and how parental responsibilities are treated.

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

See Sentrient’s EEO training course and diversity, equity and inclusion course.