The state government and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission recently launched the Race discrimination in the workplace guideline, to ensure Victoria remains an inclusive state where everyone can fully participate in all aspects of Victorian life.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Ingrid Stitt launched the guidelines this week, which will assist employers to build racial literacy and better understand their legal obligations to prevent and respond to race discrimination under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.
It will help identify and address racism in workplaces and support First Peoples and multicultural Victorians to fully participate in the workforce and to understand their rights.
“Victoria’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths but we know that our multicultural communities face racism and discrimination at work – that’s why we are providing practical supports to ensure both our employees and employers know their rights and responsibilities,” Ms Stitt said.
The guideline was developed in consultation with the broader Victorian community, including multicultural and First Peoples communities and advocacy organisations, community legal centres and workplace discrimination experts.
Alongside the guideline, additional resources including policy guides, employee guides and fact sheets were developed to support employers to create workplaces free from racism.
The fact sheets, active bystander guide and racial literacy guide will be translated into 12 languages: Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Farsi, Hazaragi, Karen, Khmer, Korean, Punjabi, Somali, Turkish and Vietnamese.
Details: humanrights.vic.gov.au/resources/guideline-workplace-race-discrimination.
