Gay and lesbian workers are worried they will be discriminated against under the 90-day employment trial period and will have no recourse to justice.
Parliament's industrial relations select committee is considering a bill to extend the probation period
Gay and lesbian workers are worried they will be discriminated against under the 90-day employment trial period and will have no recourse to justice.
Parliament's industrial relations select committee is considering a bill to extend the probation period from small businesses to cover new employees at all businesses.
Council of Trade Unions Out at Work Council spokeswoman Karena Brown told the committee that while discrimination for sexual orientation was illegal it happened.
The bill would make that situation worse. She said under it workers could find themselves sacked because they were not heterosexual but employers did not have to give a reason for dismissal and a worker had no appeal avenue. Workers would try to hide their sexuality and live in fear of being outed at some businesses. This would lead to many not changing jobs and not advancing because they were scared of discrimination.
"The trial period provision in this bill opens the door to greater discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. And regrettably it will be used by employers," she said.
"The bill reduces the standards of acceptable employer behaviour and it provides every employer with the right to unfairly dismiss a worker with no right of appeal. The provision is unjust and it will be used unjustly. No worker should be afraid about their future because of other people's prejudices."
