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Equal Opportunity, Discrimination and Harassment Policy

Applicable to: Health Service Providers

Description: The purpose of the Equal Opportunity, Discrimination and Harassment Policy (Policy) is to ensure the creation and maintenance of an environment in which Staff Members are treated with respect, dignity, fairness and which is free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. The Policy sets out the minimum requirements and responsibilities for Health Service Providers to ensure Staff Members are treated with respect, dignity, fairness and the workplace is free from all forms of discrimination, harassment or sexual harassment.

The WA health system has zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment. Workplace discrimination and harassment will not be tolerated and will be treated seriously and managed accordingly.

Staff Members must also act in accordance with the Code of Conduct (Code) which identifies the CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment which are fundamental in the workplace and defines standards of ethical and professional conduct. The Code states that:

  • there is zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination
  • Staff Members must not harass, or induce colleagues to harass each other, patients/ consumers/ caregivers/ clients or members of the public
  • Staff Members must not discriminate against each other, patients, clients or members of the public on the basis of age, breastfeeding, family responsibility, family status, gender history, impairment, marital status, political conviction, pregnancy, religious conviction, race, sex or sexual orientation.

This Policy is a mandatory requirement under the Employment Policy Framework pursuant to section 26(2)(f) of the Health Services Act 2016.

This Policy supersedes the following Operational Directives: OD 0438/13 WA Health Equal Opportunity and Diversity Policy, OD 0649/16 WA Health Equity and Diversity Strategy 2015-2020 and OD 0634/15 WA Health Substantive Equality Policy.

Date of effect: 13 August 2019

Policy Framework

Supporting information

wa.gov.au