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When starting work it's good to be aware of your rights and responsibilities (and the rights and responsibilities of your employer) when it comes to disclosure and privacy, discrimination, occupational health and safety, reasonable adjustment and workers compensation.
Disclosure and privacy
Providing information about your disability to your employer may involve disclosing sensitive personal information.
State and federal privacy legislation requires your employer to protect all confidential personal information, including information about your disability.
For information on your rights at work with regards to disclosure and privacy, visit:
Discrimination
As an employee with disability you have the same rights as other employees to a safe workplace free of discrimination and harassment. Examples of harassment on disability grounds include:
- insulting or humiliating comments or action about disability
- abusive behaviour toward employees with disability
- creation of a hostile environment through words or action.
You also have the right to workplace modifications or reasonable adjustments that minimise the impact of your disability in the workplace.
Some of these rights are defined under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and state based anti-discrimination laws. The Disability Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against people with disability in employment. This includes during a recruitment process, with employment benefits, terms and conditions, termination or dismissal.
For more information, visit:
- Discrimination
- the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission web site—see our Related Links.
If you think you have been discriminated against or harassed because of your disability, visit:
Occupational health and safety
Everyone has the right to work in a safe and healthy workplace. Both employers and employees have a role in preventing work related injury or illness. For information on health and safety in the workplace, visit:
Reasonable adjustments
The Disability Discrimination Act states that whenever it is necessary, possible and reasonable, employers should take into account your disability and make appropriate adjustments to the work environment to accommodate you.
Adjustments may include changes to interview arrangements, work and communication practices, alteration to facilities, changes to rules, transfers, promotions or staff training.
For more information, visit:
Workers compensation
By law, employers must take out workers compensation insurance for all employees. Workers compensation insurance provides protection for you and your employer in the event of workplace-related injury or disease.
More information?
For more information or support related to rights and responsibilities, you may like to contact an advocacy or peak organisation for people with disability.
The JobAccess Advisers can help you with free, confidential advice. Contact them on 1800 464 800 or online: