Browsing: Discrimination | Page 3

Special protections for first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder are among the "urgent worker safety measures", in the Federal Government's Closing Loopholes Bill, which two crossbench senators are attempting to fast-track through four separate pieces of legislation.

Workers taking prescription medicinal cannabis for medical conditions are protected by anti-discrimination laws, but critical health and safety matters can sideline those protections, industrial and employment lawyers say.

A major employer unlawfully discriminated against a breastfeeding employee through its unwavering determination to stick to a WHS rule that wasn't mandated by WHS laws or any workplace regulation, a tribunal has found in a scathing judgment.

• New strategies needed for WHS-style anti-harassment duties; and
  
• Information-gathering powers added to SWA Act.

• Employer fined $320k over reversing-vehicle breach and death;
  
• SWA launches stats site with case study, flags WHS changes; and
  
• Fair Work amendments to protect FDV victims from discrimination.

In an ongoing case involving a worker claiming she was bullied by being barred from working from home, a court has clarified when a person has a workplace right to expect their employer to comply with the Fair Work Act's anti-bullying provisions.

Menopause often causes "debilitating" symptoms in workers in one of the fastest growing employment groups, and the synonymous hot flushes and night sweats have the least impact, according to a study that also identifies the two most valuable workplace supports. Another study has identified widespread discrimination against pregnant workers.

A worker who attempted to return to work after suffering a non-work-related injury has been awarded $44,000 in damages, after a court found his employer discriminated against him by ignoring medical advice and refusing to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate his return.

A major NSW employer beached Commonwealth anti-discrimination laws by sacking a worker with ADHD because of her disabilities, a Federal judge has found, rejecting the employer's claim that the termination was triggered by serious safety concerns and the worker's "dishonesty".

Employers should be arming managers against the myths, misconceptions and stereotypes around the ability of workers to work safely as they age, an organisational psychologist specialising in workplace transitions has advised.