Equal Opportunity Act 2010: an overview

Recommended for people and organisations needing a quick understanding of their key responsibilities under Victoria’s equal opportunity laws

Whether you are an employer, a provider of goods and services (including education and accommodation), a club (including sports clubs) or a local government authority, you have obligations under Victoria’s equal opportunity laws. This free briefing will help you understand what you have to do and how the Commission can help you. 

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     highlight the important features of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010

>     give an overview of your obligations under the law

>     consider the implications for your organisation’s policies and practice

>     outline how the Commission can help you comply and work towards good practice.

Duration 2 hours 

Cost per person: Free

Location: Carlton workshops will be held at the Commission's offices, Level 3, 204 Lygon Street, Carlton. Metropolitan and regional locations will be updated. Albury Wodonga venue, The Cube Wodonga 158 Hovell Street Wodonga

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Equal opportunity contact officer: new to the role

A must for newly appointed contact officers

Equal opportunity contact officers provide information and support to help staff resolve issues of workplace discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation. A network of contact officers in your workplace is an important part of your organisation’s strategy to prevent discrimination and handle complaints. This workshop prepares participants for this important role.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     explore the purpose and role of the contact officer

>     consider appropriate workplace behaviour under your policies and the law

>     equip contact officers to conduct contact interviews

>     provide participants with an opportunity to practise the skills required

>     discuss how to establish a contact officer network at your workplace

>     provide a copy of the Contact Officer Resource Manual. 

Duration: Full day (9.30am - 4.30am)

Cost per person: $528 ($132 for volunteers, community advocates and community organisations)

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Equal opportunity contact officer: practice update

Recommended for contact officers wanting to enhance their practice, up-skill or learn from others

Featuring a facilitated discussion and review session, this workshop enables contact officers to keep up-to-date with new developments in equal opportunity, debrief on some of the issues that have come their way, and learn from other contact officers as well as our expert facilitator. We recommend contact officers undertake a Practice Update every two years. 

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     provide an overview of the role of a Contact Officer

>     review the key elements of the equal opportunity framework

>     provide an update on equal opportunity legislation and case law

>     discuss common dilemmas experienced by contact officers

>     refresh and practise the skills required to fulfil the role effectively. 

Duration: 3 hours

Prerequisites: Equal opportunity contact officer: new to the role or experience as a contact officer.

Cost per person: $264 ($66 for volunteers, community advocates and community organisations)

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Equal opportunity, human rights and disability

Recommended for people with disability, carers

Around one in five people in Victoria has some form of disability and discrimination features frequently in their day-to-day life. Understanding Victoria’s discrimination and human rights laws can be a vital first step in overcoming discrimination, receiving and providing better service and creating opportunities to participate more fully in community life.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     outline the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 with a focus on disability protections

>     discuss how employers, education providers and providers of goods and services must make reasonable adjustments for people with disability

>     explain how public authorities must consider human rights when developing policies and delivering services

>     explain how the Commission can help you resolve disputes about discrimination. 

Duration        3 hours 

Cost per person: Free for community members and volunteers. $66 for advocates from community organisations

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Equal opportunity obligations for community organisations

Recommended for CEOs, human resource professionals and senior managers in community organisations 

The Equal Opportunity Act 2010 applies to community organisations and it’s your responsibility to make sure your organisation is compliant. Building compliance also helps you create a diverse and inclusive organisation and provide better services to your clients and community members. 

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     highlight the important features of the Equal Opportunity Act

>     explain your obligations under the law

>     consider the implications for your organisation’s policies and practice

>     outline how the Commission can help you comply and work towards good practice. 

Duration        2 hours 

Cost per person: $44

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Inclusion, diversity and business health

Recommended for leaders and managers in business, government and community organisations 

We have all heard about the “business benefits of diversity” – improvements in productivity and performance, innovation, customer and employee attraction, engagement and retention. So why aren’t we all reaping the business benefits of our increasingly diverse talent pool and workplaces?

A growing body of evidence shows it’s not diversity alone, but inclusion of diversity, that makes the big difference to wellbeing and performance.

Learn the keys to doing the ‘bright thing and the right thing’ to build business health and meet equal opportunity obligations.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     explore participants’ motivation to be more inclusive

>     build knowledge and understanding of key cross-cultural differences

>     demonstrate planning and mindfulness techniques to minimise unconscious bias

>     strengthen respectful and inclusive behaviour around cultural diversity.

Duration        4 hours 

Cost per person: $352 ($88 for volunteers, community advocates and community orgs)

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Investigating formal complaints

Recommended for human resource professionals and others responsible for undertaking internal investigations

Successfully managing formal workplace investigations can help your organisation stay focused and productive. It also demonstrates your commitment to a positive workplace culture. Learn the skills to investigate formal workplace complaints quickly and effectively, while respecting all parties and minimising disruption.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     outline the context of formal workplace complaint investigations, including alternative dispute resolution options

>     examine the principles of effective workplace investigations, including procedural and substantive fairness, timeliness and confidentiality

>     identify the steps needed to conduct an effective workplace investigation

>     allow participants to practise the skills required to conduct investigations and make appropriate recommendations.

Duration Full day(9.30am–4.30pm) 

Cost per person: $528 ($132 for volunteers, community advocates and community organisations)

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Managing return to work after injury or illness

Recommended for return-to-work coordinators and others managing ill or injured workers

Returning to work after a physical or mental illness or injury can sometimes give rise to real or perceived discrimination. This interactive workshop, developed in consultation with WorkSafe Victoria, will help you manage this process smoothly and effectively.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     outline equal opportunity law as it applies to the return-to-work process

>     discuss stages in the return-to-work process where complaints of discrimination commonly arise and how to reduce these risks

>     explore what to do if a returning worker feels they are being treated inappropriately. 

Duration 3.5 hours  

Cost per person: $308 ($77 for volunteers, community advocates and community organisations)

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Mediating workplace disputes effectively

Recommended for managers and human resource professionals

Take the heat out of workplace disputes and keep your organisation productive and harmonious by mediating workplace concerns successfully.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     help participants understand the principles and process of successful mediation

>     identify the steps used in the mediation process

>     examine the communication skills required to mediate a dispute effectively.

Duration Full day (9.30am–4.30pm) 

Cost per person: $528 ($132 for volunteers, community advocates and community organisations)

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Preventing workplace bullying and harassment

Recommended for human resource professionals, managers and supervisors

This workshop will help your organisation identify the risks and deal with inappropriate behaviour quickly, effectively and out of the public domain, while respecting all staff involved and safeguarding ongoing working relationships.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     help your organisation identify workplace behaviour risks

>     consider how far an organisation’s responsibilities extend to protect staff from inappropriate behaviour

>     explain the relevant policies and procedures an organisation needs to prevent and eliminate sexual harassment and bullying

>     identify strategies to prevent and resolve inappropriate behaviour.

Duration        3 hours 

Cost: $264 ($66 for volunteers, community advocates and community organisations)

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Small business: equal opportunity compliance basics

Recommended for small business operators wanting a quick overview of the key obligations under equal opportunity law

Just as occupational health and safety laws require small business operators to take appropriate steps to prevent injuries, the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 requires small business operators to take appropriate steps to prevent discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation. Learn the necessary skills and strategies to identify, prevent and resolve these issues through business focused activities, real life examples and practical tips.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     provide an overview of the key features of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010

>     outline the rights and obligations of small business under discrimination law

>     consider the steps you need to take to comply with the law.

Duration        1 hour 

Cost per person: Free

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

The Charter: understand your rights

Recommended for community members

Understanding Victoria’s human rights laws can be a vital first step in overcoming barriers, receiving and delivering better service, and creating opportunities for people to participate more fully in community life. This workshop provides a practical introduction to the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (the Charter) and shows how to use it to advocate for better services.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     introduce the human rights protected by the Charter

>     explain the responsibilities of public authorities under the Charter

>     explain how the Charter relates to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010

>     outline how to make a complaint using the Charter.

Duration 3 hours

Cost per person: Free

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

The Charter: understand your responsibilities

Recommended for managers, employees and office holders in state and local government agencies and public authorities

All public authorities, including state and local government agencies, must consider the rights protected in the Charter when making decisions, developing laws and policies and providing services. This workshop provides a practical introduction to the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (the Charter) and shows how to use it to develop and deliver better services and improve participation for all Victorians.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     introduce the human rights protected by the Charter

>     explain the responsibilities of public authorities under the Charter

>     explain how the Charter relates to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010

>     discuss how the Charter applies to your services and day-to-day roles

>     outline how to consider complaints using the Charter.

Duration 3 hours 

Cost per person: $264 ($66 for volunteers, community advocates and community orgs.)

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Train-the-trainer: equal opportunity for employees

Recommended for workplace trainers, human resource professionals, managers and supervisors

A crucial part of any strategy to prevent discrimination and harassment is regular employee education. This course equips you to conduct interactive and effective workshops for your employees so you’ll have the capacity to deliver cost effective equal opportunity training whenever it’s needed.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     discuss the key messages of equal opportunity training, including practical responses to frequently asked questions

>     explore effective delivery methods, tools and activities and practise skills and methods for conducting equal opportunity training in the workplace

>     provide participants with a package that can be adapted and reproduced for in-house training delivery in your workplace. 

Duration        6 hours

Cost per person: $957 ($264 for advocates from community organisations)

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Using the Commission's free dispute resolution service

Recommended for community members, advocates and organisations

The Commission provides a free, fair and timely dispute resolution service to help people resolve disputes about discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation and racial and religious vilification.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     outline the laws under which the Commission helps people resolve complaints  

>     provide a step-by-step guide on how to bring a complaint to the Commission

>     explain how complaints can be resolved through conciliation

>     discuss real examples of successful conciliations.

Duration        2 hours 

Cost per person: Free

Location: Carlton workshops will be held at the Commission's offices, Level 3, 204 Lygon Street, Carlton. Metropolitan and regional locations will be updated. Albury Wodonga venue, The Cube Wodonga 158 Hovell Street Wodonga

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Working with employees with mental illness

Recommended for human resource professionals, managers and supervisors

Actively promoting mental health and understanding how to support and manage staff with mental illness is a key component of creating a safe and healthy workplace. This two-hour course will help managers understand the rights and responsibilities of employees with mental illness and explore the anti-discrimination framework for disability, mental illness and reasonable adjustments.

Objectives

The workshop will:

>     build an understanding of the effects of mental illness in the workplace

>     provide practical tips about how to support an employee with mental illness

>     clarify equal opportunity and discrimination law in relation to mental illness

>     explore reasonable adjustments and flexibility.

Duration        3 hours

Cost per person: $264 ($66 for volunteers, community advocates and community organisations)

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below

Rights before Christmas

Recommended for human resource professionals, managers and supervisors

Safeguard ongoing working relationships and avoid the morning after the night before by 'harassment proofing' your organisation in readiness for the festive season.

Objectives

The workshop will:

• help your organisation identify the particular risks associated with end of year celebrations
• clarify how far your organisation's responsibilities extend to protect staff from inappropriate behavious
• outline the relevant policies and procedures required to prevent and eliminate sexual harassment
• identify practices to safeguard your staff at social events that may involve festive cheer, inappropriate novelties and gifts and the use of social media and personal devices
• identify strategies tot prevent and resolve inappropriate behaviour
• encourage all staff to take steps to ensure celbrations are safe for everyone.

Cost per person: $264 (a discount is available for community organisations)

Location: Commission offices, Level 3,204 Lygon Street, Carlton

To submit a registration request select from the dates below