The Fair Work Ombudsman launches another pregnancy discrimination case...

Written on the 11th of September 2012 by Gavin Hanrahan

Pregnancy Discrimination

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has commenced a prosecution against a Perth company and one of its managers for alleged pregnancy discrimination.

The company operates a Child Care Centre.

FWO alleges that after the manager became aware of an employee’s pregnancy, the manager, on behalf of the Company, in addition to pressuring the employee to resign, reduced her hours of work and misrepresented to her that she was not entitled to maternity/parental leave. FWO alleges such conduct amounts to a constructive dismissal for an unlawful reason.

The Fair Work Act provides that it is unlawful to discriminate against employees on the grounds of pregnancy, race, colour, sex, sexual preference, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family/carer responsibilities, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin.

The case is listed for hearing in the Federal Court in Perth early next month.

The manager and the Company face maximum penalties per breach of $6,600 and $33,000 respectively.

This will be the fourth pregnancy discrimination case prosecuted by the FWO this year. Two of those cases are complete with penalties totaling nearly $30,000 imposed.

For any advice and assistance in pregnancy discrimination matters please call our Workplace Relations & HR Services team on 1800 994 279 or email us. A member of our team will endeavour to respond to your enquiry within 24 hours.

- Gavin Hanrahan

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Author: Gavin Hanrahan

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The Fair Work Ombudsman launches another pregnancy discrimination case...

Pregnancy Discrimination

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