Workplace Harassment Lawyers and Human Rights Support
Workplace harassment and discrimination can be just as damaging as abuse in more obvious institutional settings. It can affect safety, income, identity and the ability to stay in a career you have worked hard to build.
In Australia these issues sit within a specific mix of employment law, anti discrimination law and human rights frameworks. That includes:
- the Sex Discrimination Act and Respect at Work reforms at a federal level
- state and territory anti discrimination Acts
- human rights frameworks and commissions such as the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Queensland Human Rights Commission
Most workplace harassment and discrimination matters are best handled by lawyers who work daily in employment and human rights law. Within Better Lawyers Group that specialist team is at Enterprise Legal.
Donaldson Law still plays an important role where workplace experiences overlap with historic abuse, integrity breaches or broader institutional harm.
How Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Matters Differ
Many people who contact Donaldson Law describe experiences at work that feel like abuse. That can include:
- sexual harassment by managers or colleagues
- discrimination because of gender, pregnancy, disability or other protected attributes
- bullying, victimisation or retaliation after making a complaint
Legally these issues often fall under:
- anti discrimination and human rights laws enforced through commissions and tribunals
- workplace sexual harassment protections developed through the Respect at Work reforms
- general protections and adverse action provisions in workplace relations law
That framework is different from the civil institutional abuse and redress work that Donaldson Law focuses on for athlete abuse and historic abuse in schools, churches, care settings and Defence.
You do not need to work out which framework applies before you reach out. If what has happened to you sits mainly in the workplace and human rights space we will usually connect you with the Enterprise Legal team.
When Donaldson Law Is The Right First Call
It can make sense to speak with Donaldson Law first if:
- your workplace harassment is connected with historic institutional abuse that we are already helping you with
- the harassment is part of a broader pattern of abuse in a school, church, care setting or Defence environment
- you are unsure whether your experience is best treated as an employment issue, an institutional abuse issue or both
In these situations we will:
- Listen to what has happened and how it fits with your wider history
- Identify which elements are likely to fall under institutional abuse law and which sit within workplace and human rights frameworks
- Work out the best order for any steps so that a workplace process does not accidentally undermine a civil abuse claim or redress option
Where the strongest pathway lies in workplace and human rights law we will bring in or refer you to Enterprise Legal so that you have a dedicated workplace team alongside any institutional abuse work.
Why We Refer To Enterprise Legal For Workplace Harassment And Discrimination
Enterprise Legal is the Better Lawyers Group firm that works in employment, workplace and discrimination law. Its disputes team regularly acts in:
- discrimination and sexual harassment claims
- bullying and victimisation complaints
- general employment disputes for employees and employers
Their work covers complaints and proceedings in:
- the Australian Human Rights Commission and state anti discrimination or human rights commissions
- Fair Work Commission and other workplace regulators
- courts and tribunals where litigation is required
This means they are across:
- the Respect at Work reforms and the new positive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment
- discrimination protections at federal and state level
- evolving case law and practice directions in workplace and human rights forums
For you that translates into a team that can hold employers to account under the correct legal framework while Donaldson Law focuses on any overlapping institutional abuse or redress issues.
What To Do Next
If you have experienced workplace harassment or discrimination you have two main options.
You can:
- Contact Donaldson Law if your experience overlaps with historic abuse or other institutional harm or if you are unsure which pathway applies
- Contact Enterprise Legal directly if your concern is primarily about current or recent workplace sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying or victimisation and you are seeking advice under workplace and human rights law
Whichever door you choose first we will make sure you reach the right team within Better Lawyers Group. You do not have to navigate the divide between institutional abuse law and workplace and human rights frameworks on your own.