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Publications

Annual reports

  • 2004 - 2005 (Full Report - pdf size: 1.59 mb)
  • 2003 - 2004 (Full Report - winzip size: 1.08 mb)
    1. Commissioner's Overview (pdf size: 144 kb)
    2. Report on Community Education (pdf size: 255 kb)
    3. Report on Conciliation Services (pdf size: 232 kb)
    4. Report on Corporate Governance and Compliance (pdf size: 221 kb)
    5. Performance Indicators (pdf size: 272 kb)
    6. Financial Statements (pdf size: 481 kb)
    7. Strategic Planning Framework Section (pdf size: 154 kb)
    8. Appendix A Case Studies (pdf size: 133 kb | word size: 395 kb)
    9. Appendix B Feedback Form (pdf size: 89.3 kb | word size: 503 kb)

  • 2002 - 2003 (Full Report - pdf size: 749 kb)
    1. Commissioner's Overview (pdf size: 118 kb)
    2. Report on Community Education (pdf size: 150 kb)
    3. Report on Conciliation Services (pdf size: 179 kb)
    4. Report on Corporate Governance and Compliance (pdf size: 200 kb)
    5. Performance Indicators (pdf size: 176 kb)
    6. Financial Statements (pdf size: 289 kb)
    7. Appendices (pdf size: 148 kb)

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Brochures

    • Age Discrimination (pdf size: 1.66 mb | word size: 41 kb)
    • Conciliation Guide (pdf size: 321 kb | word size: 33.5 kb)
    • Complaint Process (pdf size: 2 mb | word size: 43 kb)
    • Family Responsibilities and Family Status (pdf size: 1.70 mb | word size: 38 kb)
    • Gender History (pdf size: 1.66 mb | word size: 48 kb)
    • Information Brief: Complaint Handling and Conciliation
      in the Equal Opportunity Commission ( pdf size: 192 kb)
    • Impairment Discrimination (pdf size: 1.74 mb | word size: 39 kb)
    • Marital Status (pdf size: 1.66 mb | word size: 44 kb)
    • Pregnancy Discrimination (pdf size: 1.66 mb| word size: 32 kb)
    • Race Discrimination (pdf size: 1.66 mb | word size: 31.5 kb)
    • Racial Harassment (pdf size: 1.66 mb | word size: 36 kb)
    • Religious and Political Conviction (pdf size: 1.66 mb | word size: 46 kb)
    • Sex Discrimination (pdf size: 1.66 mb | word size: 34.5 kb)
    • Sexual Harassment (pdf size:1.66 mb | word size: 40 kb)
    • Sexual Orientation (pdf size:1.66 mb | word size: 40.5 kb)
    • Sexual Orientation and Gender History (pdf size: 1.66 mb | word size: 48 kb)
    • Sexual Orientation Fact Sheet (pdf size: 183 kb)
    • Unlawful Discrimination (pdf size: 1.66 mb | word size: 25 kb)
    • Youth Leaflet (pdf size: 1.55 mb)

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Unfair dismissal
(November 16, 2007)

An information brochure on discrimination and unfair dismissal was recently released by the Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson and Fair Employment Advocate Helen Creed, and can be downloaded here.
One half of the brochure explains what rights you have under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 if you have been dismissed as a result of unlawful discrimination.
The other half explains if your dismissal was unlawful, what remedies you may have and outlines the differences between the State and Federal IR systems.

Unfair Dismissal EOC Unfair Dismissal FEA
 

Pregnant and Working
(August 23, 2007)

Commissioner Yvonne Henderson launched a publication titled ‘Pregnant and Working’ at Princess Margaret Hospital’s Child Care Centre on August 23, 2007,

The publication is an easy to read guide to what employers and employees need to know about pregnancy and employment.

It outlines what is pregnancy discrimination and discusses a range of related issues, including discrimination at various stages of the employment relationship, from recruitment through to parental leave and returning to work.

Pregnancy Guide
‘Pregnant and Working’ can be downloaded from here, or ring the Commission on (08) 9216 3900 to request a copy.

Equal Opportunity Act 1984 Review
(May 24, 2007)

Sweeping changes to the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 have been recommended following a comprehensive review of the Act, the first since its enactment in 1985.

The Review attracted nearly 600 individual and 90 organisational submissions, with the 76-page report referred to in State Parliament by Attorney General Jim McGinty on Thursday May 24, 2007.

The review recommends introducing a number of new grounds of unlawful discrimination, including breastfeeding, bullying and irrelevant criminal or medical record.

To read the full report click here. (pdf | word)

  Equal Opportunity Act 1984 Review

 

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Poster Series

Common workplace animals  - Poster Discrimination is backwards thinking - Poster Stop – don’t let discrimination go on - Poster
Common workplace animals Discrimination is backwards thinking     Stop – don’t let discrimination go on

To order posters: Please click here.

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Recruitment Guide
(February 28, 2007)

The 2007 recruitment guide is a plain English guide for employers and those working in the recruitment industry in Western Australia.

The 32-page booklet is titled “Are you getting it right?” and will help people plan ahead and prevent discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

The guide contains useful hints and case studies, plus examines grounds of unlawful discrimination and harassment in employment under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984.

It also provides ten steps to best practice recruiting in Western Australia and information on how to contact the Commission.

  Recruitment Guide

The 2007 recruitment guide can be downloaded from here or you can request a copy by ringing the Commission on 08 9216 3900 or emailing eoc@eoc.wa.gov.au.

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Reference Guide

The 2007 Reference Guide is a plain English guide to the Western Australian Equal Opportunity Act 1984.

The Guide outlines how the Act is administered, provides the meanings of direct and indirect discrimination and lists the grounds and areas of public life covered by the Act.

It also explains each ground of unlawful discrimination and lists the protection provided by the Act; other behaviours or actions that are unlawful under the Act; describes what is a complaint under the Act; explains and lists exceptions for each ground of unlawful discrimination and explains how to obtain an exemption from the State Administrative Tribunal.

  Reference Guide

The 2007 Reference Guide can be downloaded from here or you can request a copy by ringing the Commission on 08 9216 3900 or e-mailing eoc@eoc.wa.gov.au.

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Newsletters

2008

  • July (pdf size: 864 kb) New
  Discrimination Matters
  • April (pdf size: 496 kb)
  Discrimination Matters
     

2007

  • December (pdf size: 1.05 mb)
  Discrimination Matters
  • September (html , pdf size: 1.04 mb)

  Discrimination Matters
  Discrimination Matters
  Discrimination Matters

 

2006 Archives

  Discrimination Matters
  • September (html, pdf size: 1.05 mb)
  Discrimination Matters
  Discrimination Matters
  • February (html, pdf size: 2.15 mb)
  Discrimination Matters

 

2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

2002 Archives

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Discrimination Matters Registration

If you like to keep up to date with recent case law on discrimination and harassment, please complete the form and a copy of "Discrimination Matters" will be sent to you every quarter.

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Strategic plan

VISION

The Equal Opportunity Commission aims to ensure Western Australia, as part of the international community, becomes a more just and equitable society, by advancing human rights and not tolerating discrimination.

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AIMS

We will do this by being fearless and unapologetic advocates for justice and integrity and for the human rights of everyone through:

1. Advocacy

  • Of the Equal Opportunity Act, and its principles
  • For the necessary conditions for a human rights culture to grow

2. Community Education

  • Challenging misconceptions about equality of opportunity and current myths about particular community groups
  • Educating everyone about their human rights
  • Spreading understanding of the need for and legitimacy of special measures to achieve equality
  • Through receiving and resolving complaints, acting as an agent of change and for the development of public policy
  • Informing the community about how the Act can and should be used to guarantee and strengthen rights under the law

3. Identifying systemic discrimination

  • In public and private institutions, and
  • Understanding the nature, severity and prevalence of unlawful discrimination, harassment and related hatred in the community through enquiries and complaints, reviews, investigations and reports
  • Informing government and the public

4. A just remedy for discrimination

  • Maintaining the independence and neutrality of the Commissioner – not favouring any group over another
  • Providing effective, just, impartial and timely mechanisms to resolve complaints

5. Influencing Government

  • Reports to Minister
  • Reporting to Parliament
  • Creative and original use of all kinds of communication media
  • Developing relationships of influence with significant actors

6. Being Accessible

  • To all individuals and communities who experience disadvantage
  • To grassroots organisations
  • To rural communities, and
  • To isolated people
  • Through consultation with potential users, finding the best ways of making the Equal Opportunity Act and the Equal Opportunity Commission accessible to everyone, whatever their needs, expectations and attitudes.

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OUR APPROACH TO THIS WORK

The EOC will create and maintain:

  • A learning environment, in which all staff are valued, fostered and challenged
  • A culture of communication, in which differences and different perspectives are acknowledged as a strength
  • Within the EOC, a heightened consciousness of the causes of discrimination, and
  • A better understanding of special measures, and
  • An understanding of our own prejudices, in order to ensure the best services for all.

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STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
  1. Developing and delivering a whole of Commission approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
  2. Involving and engaging non-government, government and business communities in the development of a human rights culture.
  3. Improving awareness and understanding of the role and function of the Equal Opportunity Commission.
  4. Using the Act proactively.
  5. Improving the way we work.

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Speeches

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Other reports


EOC/Shelter WA Indigenous Forum on Housing Strategy Discussion Draft

More than 20 stakeholders met at the EOC on Thursday 9 February 2006 to gather input from organisations and individuals involved with Indigenous housing in WA, in response to the Housing Strategy WA Discussion Draft. This strategy, once finalised, will have implications for the Western Australian housing system over the next 20-25 years. Input received from this forum and earlier meetings was submitted 28 Feb 06 to the Office of Policy and Planning, Department of Housing and Works.

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