Workshops for the private sector and local governmentHuman Rights and Equal Opportunity Training Workshops July to December 2008 - What's fair? and how do we get there?
Fairness is not always common sense
Common sense can be a useful guide for common situations, but what are your legal obligations when:
- you see one of your staff get upset at a 'harmless' joke?
- a customer says, “I was offended by what your staff said ”?
- two of your colleagues are having a ‘personality clash’?
- an employee asks for a change to their hours or duties?
- a staff member demands that someone else “be formally disciplined”?
- you are not sure what information to ask for when interviewing someone for a job?
- one of your staff is being sexually harassed, but they "...don’t want you to do anything about it"?
- you discipline a staff member for being late, and she accuses you of “discrimination” because she is a parent?
The education and training workshops conducted by the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission demystify the law by providing a practical outline of equal opportunity and human rights principles and the opportunity to develop problem-solving and communication skills to apply these principles in your organisation.
Human Rights
From 1 January 2008, the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities requires organisations that provide public services on behalf of government to deliver their services and make decisions in ways that respect human rights. Many of our workshops provide a brief introduction to the principles of the Charter.
Human rights for local government.
In August and October the Commission will deliver the first workshops of a new human rights training program designed for senior management in Victorian local government.
Who are these workshops for?
Our workshops are tailored to suit different audiences.
Whether you’re a manager, supervisor, general staff, human resources staff, senior manager, board member, contact officer – there’s a workshop for you.
Your place or ours?
You can enrol in any of the regular workshops outlined in this brochure. If you want six or more of your staff to be trained, the Commission can come to you.
Please note that the human rights workshops will not be conducted offsite We will customise one of the workshops according to your needs and your policies and deliver it in your workplace.
Consultancy services
The Commission can also provide:
- general advice on equal opportunity in your workplace
- reviewing your organisation’s policies and complaint handling procedures
- advice and support on how to conduct a workplace equal opportunity climate survey, needs assessment or training program
- ongoing equal opportunity assessment to monitor progress or developing needs.
Please call (03) 9281 7168, Toll Free 1800 134 142 (country callers), TTY 9281 7110 or email: education@veohrc.vic.gov.au to discuss your needs. We will put together a tailored proposal, including costs and course outlines.
Workshops at the Commission
- Equal opportunity and human rights - an introduction to your rights and responsibilites
- Equal opportunity for human resource practitioners - creating EO policies and awareness in your workplace
- Equal opportunity for managers and team leaders
- Contact Officers - introduction to the role
- Equal opportunity update
- The best person for the job - equal opportunity in recruitment and selection
- Mediation of workplace harassment and bullying
- Investigation Officers - introduction to the role
- Human rights for local government
Equal opportunity and human rights - an introduction to your rights and responsibilities
Dates:
- Thursday 17 July, 2pm - 4pm
- Friday 22 August, 2pm - 4pm
- Thursday 18 September, 10am - 12pm
- Monday 13 October, 2pm - 4pm
- Friday 21 November, 2pm-4pm
- Friday 12 December, 2pm-4pm
This workshop will:
- Outline equal opportunity law and key definitions: discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, victimisation and bullying
- Consider how these might apply in common scenarios
- Provide a brief overview of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.
- Consider various options for resolving complaints, including the role of Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission.
Prerequisites: none
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Free
Equal opportunity for human resource practitioners - creating EO policies and awareness in your workplace
Date:
- Monday 20 October, 1pm-4.30pm
This workshop will:
- Identify the steps involved in implementing an equal opportunity program in your workplace
- Outline the essential elements of effective equal opportunity policies and complaint handling procedures
- Explore strategies and tips to educate staff and promote equal opportunity in your workplace.
- Provide a brief overview of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and consider its general effect on policies and procedures for public bodies.
Duration: half-day
Cost: $220
Prerequisites:
- a basic level of knowledge of equal opportunity and human rights law, such as attendance at: Equal opportunity – an introduction to your rights and responsibilities
Equal opportunity for managers and team leaders
Dates:
- Tuesday 23 September, 9am-1pm
- Thursday 27 November, 1pm-5pm
This workshop will:
- Provide an overview of discrimination & harassment legislation and the overlap with your organisation’s policies and procedures
- Provide a brief overview of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.
- Consider effective strategies to prevent discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual harassment
- Outline responsibilities under equal opportunity legislation including legal liability
- Identify various options to manage and resolve workplace conflict.
Duration: half day
Cost: $286
Prerequisites:
- Participants must bring a copy of their workplace EO policies and complaint-handling procedures
Contact Officers – introduction to the role
Dates:
- Monday 21 July, 9.30am-4.30pm
- Thursday 21 August, 9.30am-4.30pm
- Tuesday 16 September, 9.30am-4.30pm
- Thursday 9 October, 9.30am-4.30pm
- Monday 10 November, 9.30am-4.30pm
- Tuesday 16 December, 9.30am-4.30pm
This workshop will:
- Outline equal opportunity legislation and define inappropriate workplace behaviour
- Discuss the parameters of the Contact Officer role
- Explore the knowledge and skills required to fulfil this role effectively
- Provide a brief overview of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
- Explore the steps involved in a complaint handling process and the place of a Contact Officer within this process.
- Participants will receive a 64-page resource manual and guide to the role.
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $396
Prerequisites:
- Your organisation has equal opportunity policies and procedures in place, or is in the process of developing them
Equal opportunity update
Dates:
- Tuesday 28 October, 9.30am-1pm
- Monday 1 December, 1pm-4.30pm
Overview:
- Outline recent changes and directions in equal opportunity law.
- Discuss issues arising for participants in the practical application of equal opportunity
Duration: half-day
Cost: $220
Prerequisites:
- a basic level of knowledge of equal opportunity and human rights law, such as attendance at: Equal opportunity – an introduction to your rights and responsibilities, or Contact Officers – introduction to the role
The best person for the job – equal opportunity in recruitment and selection
Date:
- Thursday 4 December, 1pm-5pm
This workshop will:
- Examine how equal opportunity legislation affects each step of the recruitment and selection procedure from creation of the position to advertising and selection to orientation of new staff
- Consider the application of concepts such as: ‘reasonable requirements’, ‘merit ’, ‘cultural fit’, pre-employment medical testing and aptitude testing
- Explore the relationship between equal opportunity and ‘diversity’ as a goal in recruitment and selection.
Participants will receive a copy of the 22-page brochure: A fair go for job seekers – best practice guidelines for the recruitment industry and employers.
Duration: half-day
Cost: $286
Prerequisites:
- A basic level of knowledge of equal opportunity and human rights law, such as attendance at: Equal opportunity – an introduction to your rights and responsibilities
Mediation of workplace harassment and bullying
Date:
- Monday 8 December, 9.30am-4.30pm
Objectives:
- Identify where mediation fits in the continuum of alternative dispute resolution
- Identify the considerations in deciding whether workplace mediation is an appropriate conflict resolution tool
- Describe the stages of a workplace mediation
- List the communication skills required to mediate a workplace conflict effectively
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $396
This workshop outlines the principles and processes for effective mediation of workplace conflict and has a significant practical component.
Participants will be encouraged to take part in role-plays during the workshop.
Investigation Officers – introduction to the role
Dates:
- Monday 24th November, 9.30am-4.30pm
Objectives:
- Consider the role of formal (e.g. disciplinary) complaints that require investigation in the context of other complaint handling options in the workforce
- Explore issues involved in investigations including procedural and substantive fairness, confidentiality and timeliness
- Identify the elements of an effective investigation plan
- Examine the issues involved in making findings and recommendations.
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $396
Prerequisites:
- Participants have a basic level of knowledge of equal opportunity and human rights law, such as attendance at: Equal opportunity – an introduction to your rights and responsibilities
- Your organisation has equal opportunity policies and procedures in place or is developing them.
Human rights for local government
Dates:
- Tuesday 26 August, 9.30am-4.30pm
- Thursday 16 October, 9.30am-4.30pm
- Tuesday 11 November, 9.30am-4.30pm
Cost: $396
Objectives:
- Provide a introduction to key human rights concepts and the operation of the Charter
- Outline obligations on local government as public authorities
- Identify strategies to integrate human rights into the culture values and leadership of your organisation
- Examine legal and non-legal advocacy opportunities contained within the Charter
This workshop is specifically tailored for local government
Prerequisites: none
Access & accessibility
All workshops are held at our training centre located at
Level 3, 380 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne (between Elizabeth and Queen Streets, Melways ref: 2F D3).
The building is wheelchair and sight-impaired accessible.
The nearest railway station is Melbourne Central (Elizabeth Street entrance). Commercial off-street car parking is available next door.
Workshops begin with registration and refreshments* 15 minutes before the advertised starting time.
Costs include GST, workshop materials and certificates* of participation.
Please advise us at the time of your enrolment if you have any needs such as interpreters, childcare, attendant carers, alternative formats for materials etc.
* (refreshments and certificates not provided for free 2-hour session, Equal Opportunity - an introduction to your rights and responsibilities).
If you are unable to attend
Substitute person – You can transfer your enrolment to another member of your staff. If possible, please let us know no later than 24 hours before the workshop.
Transfer date - Under some circumstances, we may be able to transfer your registration to a different (or later) workshop if seven or more days notice is provided.
Refund – If you cancel up to seven days before the workshop, we can refund your registration fee.
Non-attendance, cancellation or transfer of an enrolment with less than one-week’s notice will incur a cancellation fee of up to the full price of the workshop (unless a medical certificate is provided).
Enquiries
For booking or other enquiries, please telephone (03) 9281 7122 or 1800 134 142 (country callers).
Special Offers
- Register one person for a one-day workshop at full price and each additional person attending the same workshop will receive a 20% discount.
- Register one person for a one-day workshop at full price and receive a 20% discount off the cost of additional workshops.
