5 types of discrimination a person can experience with high likelihood in the workplace

• 1. Age discrimination
• Age discrimination is a practice specifically protected by law which is Age Discrimination Act 2004. With a few rare exceptions, companies are forbidden from specifying an age preference in job advertisements. Employees must receive the same benefits regardless of age, the only exception being when the cost of providing supplemented benefits to young workers is the same as providing reduced benefits to older workers. Also, age discrimination in apprenticeship programs or internship opportunities is illegal. (quoted from ALISON DOYLE)
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• 2. Gender discrimination
  
• According to Australian Human Rights Commision, Australia has made good progress towards achieving gender equality in recent times. However, at work, women continue to face a gender 'pay gap' and barriers to leadership roles. Additionally, sexual harassment and and gender-based violence also threaten women's basic right to feel safe and respected in the workplace. This discrimination is under the protection of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984.

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• 3. Pregnancy or parenthood discrimination
• This discrimination is also under the protection of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984. Many encounter reduced employment opportunities because of the time they give to family and caring responsibilities. This kind of pregnancy-based or parenthood-based discrimination is illegal. Employers are required to handle pregnancy in the same way that they would handle a temporary illness or other non-permanent condition that would necessitate special consideration.

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  4. Racial discrimination

  
  

  Racial discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourable, or not given the same opportunities, as others in a similar situation, because their race, the country where they were born, their ethnic origin or their skin colour. This discrimination is under the protection of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

  
  

  
  
  
  5. Physical features discrimination

  
  

  

  In Victoria it is against the law for someone to discriminate against you because of your physical features. Your physical features are your height, weight, size, shape or another bodily characteristic. These also include facial features, hair and birthmarks. For example, a fast food company will only recruit people with certain 'look', that is, a specific height, weight and build. This discrimination is under the protection of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. (quoted from Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission)