Hiring at Macquarie
Discrimination
Discrimination occurs when there is a distinction made between individuals or groups that results in disadvantaging some and advantaging others.
Types of discrimination
There are two types of discrimination:
-
Direct discrimination
A person is treated less favourably than another person would be in the same circumstances, for an inappropriate reason. For example, an employer declines to give a woman a job or promotion purely on the basis of her gender. -
Indirect discrimination
A policy, procedure or practice that results in a number of people of a certain group being disadvantaged. For example, a selection criterion requiring five years experience in a particular field indirectly discriminates against younger people.
QUESTIONS TO AVOID
Specifically, it is illegal to discriminate on and selection committees need to avoid asking questions relating to, the following:
- Race (includes colour, national or ethnic origin)
- Age
- Sex
- Gender identity
- Transgender identity
- Marital status
- Family responsibilities
- Parental status
- Carer status
- Pregnancy or the possibility thereof
- Breastfeeding
- Disability (such as physical or intellectual impairment)
- Medical record
- Physical features
- Sexual orientation
- Lawful sexual activity
- Religious beliefs and activities
- Trade union activity
- Criminal records/spent convictions
- Personal association with a person who is identified by reference to one of the above attributes
EXCEPTIONS
There are some limited exceptions. For example, the University would not hire a candidate with a criminal history of fraud who has applied for a finance position (i.e. where the criminal record is directly relevant to the inherent requirements of the position).