Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

XENON is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying. Behaviour that constitutes discrimination, sexual harassment or bullying will not be tolerated and will lead to action being taken, which may include dismissal.

Staff rights and responsibilities

All staff are entitled to:

  • recruitment and selection decisions based on merit and not affected by irrelevant personal characteristics;
  • work free from discrimination, bullying, sexual harassment, and racial and religious vilification,
  • the right to raise issues or to make an enquiry or complaint in a reasonable and respectful manner without being victimised (see Grievances);
  • reasonable flexibility in working arrangements, especially where needed to accommodate their family and carer responsibilities, disability, religion and culture.

All staff must:

  • follow the standards of behaviour outlined in this policy;
  • offer support to people who experience discrimination, sexual harassment or vilification, including providing information about how to make a complaint;
  • avoid gossip and respect the confidentiality of complaint resolution procedures;
  • treat everyone with dignity, courtesy and respect.

Managers and supervisors must also:

  • model appropriate standards of behaviour;
  • take steps to educate and make staff aware of their obligations under this policy and the law;
  • intervene quickly and appropriately when they become aware of inappropriate behaviour;
  • act fairly to resolve issues and enforce workplace behavioural standards, making sure relevant parties are heard;
  • help staff resolve complaints informally;
  • refer formal complaints about breaches of this policy to the appropriate complaint handling officer for investigation;
  • ensure staff who raise an issue or make a complaint are not victimised;
  • ensure that recruitment decisions are based on merit and that no discriminatory requests for information are made;
  • seriously consider requests for flexible work arrangements.

Unacceptable workplace conduct:

The following behaviours are unacceptable in XENON Systems and may be against the law. Staff (including managers) found to have engaged in such conduct might be counselled, warned or disciplined. Severe or repeated breaches can lead to formal discipline up to and including dismissal.

Discrimination, bullying, sexual harassment, and racial and religious vilification are unacceptable at XENON Systems and are covered by federal and state legislation:

  • Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic),
  • Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic),
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic),
  • Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth),
  • Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth),
  • Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth),
  • Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth),
  • Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth).

XENON provides equal opportunity in employment to people without discrimination based on a personal characteristic protected under state and federal equal opportunity legislation. Under State
legislation they include:

  • age,
  • breastfeeding,
  • carer status,
  • disability,
  • employment activity,
  • gender identity,
  • industrial activity,
  • lawful sexual activity,
  • marital status,
  • parental status,
  • personal association with someone having any of these characteristics,
  • physical features,
  • political activity/belief,
  • pregnancy,
  • race,
  • religious activity/belief,
  • sex,
  • sexual orientation.

Last update: 25-March-2020.

View all XENON policies here.