If you feel that things aren't right at work you're probably right, even if you can't put things into words. Trust your intuition, or gut feeling. 

Often changes in attitude towards employees happen after the appointment of a new manager. The attitude changes can be subtle at first, leaving you doubting whether or not what you are sensing is right. If you are in this situation we encourage you to make diary notes of things that are happening and keep these safe off site. You can also contact us by email or telephone for a free, no obligation, discussion to talk about what's happening and your options. If you do this at an early stage you can avoid the damage to your health, and work relationships, which often arises if things have been deteriorating for a while.

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A 16 year old boy sexually harassed at work has been awarded a $35,000 payout. Shame on the employer and the people involved. What a terrible way to start your working life. Sexual harassment can affect men and women. Nobody should have to put up with it. Like rape victims, victims of sexual harassment in the workplace can expect their details to be kept confidential. 

If you are being discriminated against, or if you have been the victim of racial or sexual harassment, at work, you have the choice of taking your complaint to the Human Rights Commission or going through an employment process.

If you go through an employment process, a personal grievance will usually be raised and the issue can be resolved by direct negotiation, at mediation, or at the Employment Relations Authority.

Sometimes people ask which is the best way to progress their case – through the Human Rights Commission or through the employment disputes processes. We can assist you with either, however, we believe that, in most cases, the employment process is by far the best way to take your case forward. Taking your case forward through an employment process is likely to be far faster and cheaper than going to the Human Rights Commission. You will retain control of the case and you have the right of free, confidential and speedy access to the Mediation Service, an excellent resource provided by the government. If you are still employed, we can often get you a mediation within 1-2 weeks.

The same employment processes also exist to protect employees who have been unfairly accused of harassment or discrimination and who may have been unjustifiably dismissed or disadvantaged as a result.

Please contact us if you have any issues or questions.

Racial harassment is illegal. If it happens to you at work you may have a personal grievance claim against your employer.

Allegations of racial harassment can also cause issues for the alleged perpetrator. 

For the employer it is essential that matters are handled correctly or they could face personal grievance claims from both the victim and the person responsible for the behaviour. For more details please visit our article about racial harassment.