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Discrimination
Last updated April 2024
This chapter explains what discrimination is, and how to avoid discrimination occurring in your workplace.
What is discrimination?
Definition: Discrimination
Discrimination is treating an employee less favourably than others in the workplace who are in the same or similar circumstances.
Discrimination is treating an employee less favourably than others in the workplace who are in the same or similar circumstances.
Discrimination may be:
- direct;
- indirect; or
- systemic.
Direct discrimination
Definition: Direct Discrimination
Direct discrimination occurs when you treat another employee or group of employees differently because of a protected attribute or activity.
Direct discrimination occurs when you treat another employee or group of employees differently because of a protected attribute or activity.
You will directly discriminate against an employee if the way you treat them is:
- because of an attribute they have or a characteristic that people with that attribute generally have (even if that is not the only reason for the treatment); and
- less favourable than you treat or would treat another employee without that attribute in the same circumstances.