Is Equal Opportunity the same as diversity?
Diversity in the workplace means that you employ people from a wide range of backgrounds. Working with a team of diverse employees will enhance your business through different perspectives, experience and knowledge. Show
Research shows that diversity can be good for business. It promotes:
In Australia, national and state laws cover equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination in the workplace. As an employer, you must understand your rights and responsibilities under human rights and anti-discrimination law. State and territory resourcesIt's unlawful to disadvantage employees and job seekers in any way because of their:
Check out the step-by-step guide to preventing discrimination in recruitment. Australian Human Rights Commission Use the range of fact sheets to help you develop policies and guidelines. Australian Human Rights Commission
Employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesAs an employer, you can increase your understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' experiences. Your understanding will help you provide appropriate and respectful opportunities for job seekers from these communities.
Learn more about Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples. Find out how to actively engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. National Indigenous Australians Agency Employing CALD peopleAustralia is a multicultural society. Almost half of the population were born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. A culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) workplace means having employees who:
CALD employees provide additional perspectives and experience, they can help you:
CALD employees and your workplaceMake sure your workplace is ready to embrace diversity. You can:
Employing people with disabilityPeople with disability work in all industries, in many different roles, and bring a range of skills, qualifications, talents and experience to business. Evidence has shown that employees with disability tend to:
As an employer of people with disability, you must be aware of the special national minimum wages that could apply. Prepare your workplaceIf you employ or interview someone with disability, you may need to make changes to your workplace to ensure it's accessible. Most people with disability won't need changes to the workplace, so it's a good idea to chat with them first. Changes to your workplace could include:
Employer supportAs an employer, you can access a range of government programs to help you employ people with disability:
Employee supportYour employees with disability also have support available to help them adjust to their workplace:
International Day of People with DisabilityDecember 3rd is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). The day celebrates the achievements of people with a disability and aims to raise awareness and acceptance of all people. IDPwD aims to:
Learn how you can celebrate the day in your workplace on the International Day of People with Disability website. Employing mature aged peopleMature aged workers often have built up knowledge and skills during their time in the workforce, so they can help you to:
There is evidence that mature aged workers can:
Programs and financial support to help you employ mature aged workersCheck out the Investing in Experience Tool Kit for a practical guide to employing people over 45 years of age. Department of Education, Skills and Employment Learn more about the Restart Wage Subsidy which provides financial assistance to employers who employ and retain job seekers aged 50 years and over. Department of Education, Skills and Employment Working with new parentsEmployees may be entitled to unpaid parental leave when a new child is born or adopted. Australian Government Paid Parental Leave schemeEmployees can also have extra entitlements, such as paid parental leave. This leave could occur under an award, agreement, company policy or law, such as the Australian Government Paid Parental Leave scheme. The Australian Government Parental Leave Pay provides eligible working parents who are the primary carer of a newborn or newly adopted child with a maximum of 18 weeks of Government-funded pay based on the national minimum wage. Working dads or partners are eligible to receive up to two weeks of Government-funded pay based on the national minimum wage, called Dad and Partner Pay. You can provide support to new parents by maintaining regular contact during parental leave. If both employee and employer agree, your employee can come to work for up to 10 paid Keeping in Touch days. These days won't affect your employees unpaid parental leave entitlements. Learn more about employing young people. Bullying and harassmentAll employees have a right to work in a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. As an employer, you have a responsibility to ensure that your workplace meets these rights. Under Australian anti-discrimination law, an employer may be legally responsible for discrimination and harassment in the workplace. To minimise the risk of legal action as a result of this, employers can actively implement anti-discrimination policies and ensure they make staff aware of the consequences. As well as discrimination, bullying is a form of workplace harassment that employers must address. Bullying behaviour includes:
Learn more about bullying and harassment. Check out the Workplace Advice Service for free legal assistance on workplace bullying. Find out more on preventing and responding to workplace bullying. Find out more about workplace discrimination, harassment and bullying. Australian Human Rights Commission Use the workplace discrimination and harassment policy template. Australian Human Rights Commission Read next
Check your obligations when hiring an employee. Find out what records you need to keep for employees. Find out how to recruit and induct a new employee. Interview and recruit employees Are equality and diversity the same?Equality refers to providing equal opportunities to everyone and protecting people from being discriminated against. Diversity refers to recognising and respecting and valuing differences in people.
What is workplace diversity and equal opportunity?Equal opportunity - The job or promotion goes to the person who earns it based on qualifications, experience and knowledge. Workplace diversity values everyone's differences. Diversity includes not only race but gender, ethnicity, personality, age, education and background.
What is the difference between equity and diversity?Diversity is about differences, equity is about providing equal access, and inclusion is about fostering a sense of value and empowerment in employees. A substantial number of employees and job seekers consider a company's diversity to be very important when applying.
What is equal opportunity called?equal opportunity, also called equality of opportunity, in political theory, the idea that people ought to be able to compete on equal terms, or on a “level playing field,” for advantaged offices and positions.
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