Discrimination, Harassment & Bullying Policies

Anti-Discrimination

SGSCC is committed to ensuring that all of its representatives, clients and participants are treated fairly and equally in their employment and training.

SGSCC and its representatives have a responsibility to provide an environment, which is free from any form of discrimination, harassment, insult, ridicule, and victimisation or bullying either directly or indirectly.

Students are expected to behave in a manner that is in keeping with the College’s values of Collaboration, Commitment, Diversity, Integrity and Respect and are required to comply with the relevant anti-discrimination laws with respect to the treatment of their Trainers/Assessors and Workplace Supervisors, SGSCC staff and fellow students.

All opportunities are determined on the basis of merit without regard to nationally, race, religion, sex, sexuality, marital status, pregnancy, politics or impairment.

Trainer/Assessors are accountable for the implementation of this policy.

Sexual Harassment

All representatives of SGSCC are required to note, and agree to comply fully with, the regulations and legislation preventing Sexual Harassment and ensure that all training participants are made aware of and comply with such regulations and legislation requirements.

As a student you should be aware of, and comply with, the College policies and guidelines about Sexual Harassment.

The guidelines are:

Sexual Harassment includes but is not limited to:

• Making unsolicited and unwelcome written, verbal, physical or visual contact with sexual overtones (for example: jokes, slurs, assault, touch or posters)
• Continuing to express sexual interest after being informed that the interest is unwelcome
• Masking reprisals, threats of reprisal or implied threats of reprisals following a negative response. (for example, suggesting a poor performance report will be given)
• Engaging in implicit or explicit coercive sexual behaviour which is used to control, influence or affect the career, salary or environment of another
• Offering favours and benefits (such as promotions, preferential reviews or assigned tasks, etc in return for sexual favours).

SGSCC strives for an environment free of sexual harassment. These policies against harassment apply to both the training and work environments for participants, clients, staff and contractors.

Anyone found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which includes warnings, reprimand, suspension, dismissal or cancellation of contract.

Harassment, Victimisation and Bullying

We all have a right to feel safe and respected.

Harassment, victimisation, bullying or any such conduct that has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or an offensive learning environment, will not be tolerated.

This includes harassment, victimisation and bullying because of sex, race, national origin, religion, disability, sexual preference or age.

Harassment is unlawful under Commonwealth and State legislation and all harassment, bullying and victimisation are contrary to the duty of care to provide a safe environment for work and learning.

Harassment, victimisation and bullying can take many forms. It can be overt or subtle, direct or indirect.

Examples of harassment may include:

• Unwelcome physical contact
• Repeated unwelcome invitations
• Insulting or threatening language or gestures
• Continual unjustified comments about a client’s work or work capacity
• Jokes and comments about someone’s ethnicity, colour, race
• Pictures, posters, graffiti, electronic images, which are offensive, obscene or objectionable

Examples of victimisation may include:

• Unfavourable treatment like aggression
• Refusing to provide information to someone
• Ignoring a person
• Mocking customs or cultures
• Lower assessment of client work

Examples of bullying may include:

• A person who uses strength or power to coerce others by fear
• Behaviour that intimidates, degrades or humiliates a person
• Aggression, verbal abuse and behaviour which is intended to punish
• Personality clashes and constant ‘put-downs’
• Persistent, unreasonable criticism of client work performance
• Client violence both physical and threatened against teachers
• Bullying can also take place in cyberspace: over the internet and on mobile phones.

Victims can experience significant social isolation and feel unsafe. Bullying can lead to emotional and physical harm, loss of self-esteem, feelings of shame and anxiety, and concentration and learning difficulties.

Students should be aware that differing social and cultural standards may mean behaviour that is acceptable to some may be perceived as offensive by others.

We all have a responsibility to create a safe environment by standing up against, harassment, victimisation and bullying. If bystanders take safe and appropriate action to stop bullying, we can all be a part of the solution. In the event of a situation that is considered by clients to be in violation of SGSCC’s harassment, victimisation and bullying policy, please report the situation to your Training or escalate this to Senior Management. All complaints will be promptly and confidentially investigated.

Anti-Discrimination Act 1977

The Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 aims to promote equality of opportunity for everyone by protecting them from unfair discrimination in certain areas of activity, including education and training. The services developed and offered by SGSCC, including their administrative practices and assessment processes, take into account the principles established by this legislation.