New rights for employees

01/09/2008

New legislation comes into effect today that boosts the rights of Victorian parents and carers who are balancing work and family responsibilities.

From today, employers in Victoria must seriously consider a request for flexible work arrangements from an employee or job applicant with family responsibilities.

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission chief executive officer Dr Helen Szoke said Victoria was the first state in Australia to introduce such legislation.

“This is a significant development for employees balancing family or carer responsibilities with their work commitments,” Dr Szoke said.

“Employers are not compelled to agree to requests for changed work arrangements but they must reasonably consider them.”

Such requests could relate to hours of work, break times, rosters, overtime, scheduling of staff meetings, and leave arrangements.

Dr Szoke said the amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act would help strike a balance between business needs and family responsibilities.

Employees who believe their employer has unreasonably refused to accommodate their family or carer responsibilities after today will be able to lodge a complaint with the Commission.

A guide for employers and workers explaining the amendments have been developed by the Commission and Industrial Relations Victoria in consultation with business groups such as the Australian Industry Group, the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce.

‘Building eQuality in the workplace: Family Responsibilities – Guidelines for Employers and Employees’ is available at www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/publications.