What are sex discrimination laws like here?
#16
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Re: What are sex discrimination laws like here?
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and opinions. Much appreciated
#18
Re: What are sex discrimination laws like here?
That some people would like to see more male teachers in primary schools is completely irrelevant.
If your wife truly did not get the job because of her sex, and indeed it looks that way based on what you have said, then this is most definitely discrimination and it is illegal.
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlin.../pages/adb_sex
Having said that, you would have to consider what would you gain over pursuing a case.
If your wife truly did not get the job because of her sex, and indeed it looks that way based on what you have said, then this is most definitely discrimination and it is illegal.
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlin.../pages/adb_sex
Having said that, you would have to consider what would you gain over pursuing a case.
#19
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Re: What are sex discrimination laws like here?
I must admit I dont really get this, your wife got to the last 2 and the other person got the job. End of story really I would have thought, move on to the next job. As has been said if they wanted a man from the start why would your wife have got as far as she did ?
#20
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Re: What are sex discrimination laws like here?
In a nutshell (my original draft post was much longer!), my wife was interviewed for a teaching job. She unfortunately got the "bad news" call. It was between her and another man. They chose the man. Why? Simply because they wanted a man in the job. THAT WAS IT. The person that called has given some BS about the school having lots of women teachers and they wanted to redress the balance. Er, isn't this just a little bit a case of sex discrimination?
Can we afford a lengthy legal battle - not really. In truth, not at all. But perhaps with a bit of research and evidence we can write something suitably strong to someone. At the very least, someone somewhere needs a slap!
For now I and she because as we all know (don't we?) that is the temporary solution to everything!
Can we afford a lengthy legal battle - not really. In truth, not at all. But perhaps with a bit of research and evidence we can write something suitably strong to someone. At the very least, someone somewhere needs a slap!
For now I and she because as we all know (don't we?) that is the temporary solution to everything!
Positive discrimination happens in the UK and Aus and it is usually against men and white people.
#21
Re: What are sex discrimination laws like here?
It's called positive discrimination. Under equal opportunities, when there is a distinct imbalance, discrimination is permitted to redress the balance and provide opportunites for marginalised groups. In this case the marginalised group in a school is men.
Positive discrimination happens in the UK and Aus and it is usually against men and white people.
Positive discrimination happens in the UK and Aus and it is usually against men and white people.
There are some exemptions to the sex equality laws, e.g. in acting or to protect decency and privacy (like search officers), but nothing remotely along the lines of redressing an balance of the sexes.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/c...84209/s30.html
#22
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Re: What are sex discrimination laws like here?
I have just read the Sex Disrcimination Act 1984 and so no such allowances.
There are some exemptions to the sex equality laws, e.g. in acting or to protect decency and privacy (like search officers), but nothing remotely along the lines of redressing an balance of the sexes.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/c...84209/s30.html
There are some exemptions to the sex equality laws, e.g. in acting or to protect decency and privacy (like search officers), but nothing remotely along the lines of redressing an balance of the sexes.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/c...84209/s30.html
#23
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Re: What are sex discrimination laws like here?
Because my hunch is that this is probably like any public sector job - they have to be seen to be doing the right thing and I suspect it was just through plain stupid ignorance that the person who called let slip that they wanted a man for the job! And that's why it is not a case of simple rejection which orinarily of course we can both cope with just fine.
Last edited by Lucas_Dad; Dec 6th 2012 at 10:16 am.
#24
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Re: What are sex discrimination laws like here?
I could see how that could provide an exemption for males if the school is co-ed and in severely female teacher heavy.
I remember about 10 years ago what happened with the Vic Police. The new Chief Commissioner of Police, Christine Nixon used positive discrimination/affirmative action and introduced quotas to increase the number of females in the force. Lot's of better qualified male applicants were rejected in favour of female recruits purely in an attempt to balance the female/male ratio.
#25
Re: What are sex discrimination laws like here?
Like females teachers going into male toilets/changing rooms?
I could see how that could provide an exemption for males if the school is co-ed and in severely female teacher heavy.
I remember about 10 years ago what happened with the Vic Police. The new Chief Commissioner of Police, Christine Nixon used positive discrimination/affirmative action and introduced quotas to increase the number of females in the force. Lot's of better qualified male applicants were rejected in favour of female recruits purely in an attempt to balance the female/male ratio.
I could see how that could provide an exemption for males if the school is co-ed and in severely female teacher heavy.
I remember about 10 years ago what happened with the Vic Police. The new Chief Commissioner of Police, Christine Nixon used positive discrimination/affirmative action and introduced quotas to increase the number of females in the force. Lot's of better qualified male applicants were rejected in favour of female recruits purely in an attempt to balance the female/male ratio.