Here at Explore Careers, we think of Human Rights Day as more than just a date on the calendar. Instead, we see it as a global reminder of the fundamental rights that every person is entitled to and that support our dignity, freedom, and equality! This year, as we celebrate Human Rights Day, we also want to take this great opportunity to reflect on the importance of understanding and exercising our workplace rights in Australia. From the right to work, to protections against unfair treatment, we all have a part to play in creating workplaces that prioritise fairness and respect for human rights.
In this blog, we’ll explore the significance of Human Rights Day, dive into your working rights in Australia, and discuss what fair and unfair work practices look like. So, if you want to feel confident that your rights are being upheld in the workplace, get comfy, settle in, and keep on reading!
What is Human Rights Day
Before jumping straight into working rights and fair work, we need a little background on Human Rights Day. Essentially, Human Rights Day is a yearly celebration designed to mark the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. We know, it’s a bit of a mouthful, but this is important stuff!
This super important document laid out a set of standards that assert every person’s basic rights and freedoms, from the right to life, liberty, and security, to the right to education, health, and work.
However, Human Rights Day isn’t just about acknowledging and celebrating these rights; it’s about advocating for them, too. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness about human rights issues and the ongoing efforts needed to ensure everyone, everywhere, has their rights respected and protected! So, as we all acknowledge this important day, we should take the time to focus on how these rights can be applied in every facet of life; and that includes the workplace!
Human Rights Day FAQ
Question: What is This Year’s Theme for Human Rights Day?
The theme for Human Rights Day 2024 is “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now” Basically, this theme underscores the idea that everyone deserves to live a life free from discrimination, fear, and injustice, now and forever. If you ask us, that’s a cause that we can definitely get behind.
Question: Why is Human Rights Day Celebrated?
In short, Human Rights Day is targeted towards promoting awareness, inspiring action, and encouraging governments and organizations to continue improving the human rights standards across the globe!
Question: Who Started Human Rights Day?
The United Nations (otherwise known as the UN) started Human Rights Day way back in 1950, two years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted. It was, and still is, intended to honour the Declaration and raise awareness about the importance of human rights in our daily lives, too.
Question: Where is Human Rights Day Celebrated?
Human Rights Day is celebrated globally, so you might just see news of celebrations happening all across the world!
Learn About Your Working Rights in Australia
In Australia, working rights are a super important element of our human rights. And luckily for us, the Fair Work Act from way back in 2009 establishes a framework of protections for employees. Essentially, it ensures that workers are treated fairly and with dignity in their workplaces; as they should!
So, what does this mean for you? Well, as an Australian worker, you are entitled to multiple basic working rights, with a few key ones being the right to a safe and healthy workplace, the right to fair pay, and the right to be free from discrimination.
Understanding your rights isn’t just important for your personal well-being; it has a big impact on the culture of your workplace, too. After all, if everyone in the office is letting things slip or perpetuating harmful habits, it can easily sour positive workplace environments.
What Does Fair Work Look Like?
If you haven’t quite started your career journey yet, it can be difficult to figure out what fair work and positive work environments actually look like. However, figuring out the difference between a great employer and a toxic one is one of the best lessons you’ll ever learn.
In short, fair work practices are essential for creating a positive, productive, and respectful workplace. They ensure that all employees are treated with dignity and respect so that everyone can have enjoy their shifts and complete their work to the best of their abilities. And if you want some more concrete examples, check out these key features of fair workplaces:
Fair Pay
Employees should be paid fairly for their work, (AKA, their hourly rate or salary needs to be in accordance with the minimum wage set by Fair Work Australia). This working right ensures that all employees are being properly compensated for all the hard work they’re putting in!
Workplace Safety
No fair work environment puts employees in harm’s way. In fact, it’s a key working right to have a safe and injury-free workplace! This also means that employers will provide protections against any hazards, proper safety training, and resources to deal with any risks associated with the work they do.
Workplace Flexibility
With the rise of remote and flexible working arrangements, most people now consider this to be a marker of fair work. Essentially, this means ensuring that workplaces provide flexibility for workers to balance their personal and professional lives. This includes offering options for flexible working hours, paid leave, and supporting employees who need accommodations for disabilities or other personal needs.
Protection Against Discrimination
Another super important marker of a fair work environment is equal opportunity and whether employees are treated without bias based on their gender, race, sexual orientation, age, or any other characteristic. If that isn’t the case in your workplace, it’s a huge red flag!
Equal Pay for Equal Work
This super important principle ensures that men and women receive the same pay for the same work. Unfortunately, despite improving over the last few years, the gender pay gap in the workplace remains an issue in Australia, so it’s crucial to continue fighting for equal treatment!
What Does Unfair Work Look Like?
Honestly, we can’t even comprehend why organisations allow unfair work practices to slide. After all, it doesn’t just negatively impact the employees, but it reduces productivity and increases absenteeism, which effects the company, too. That’s what we call a lose-lose scenario!
If you’re unsure of whether or not your workplace is respecting your working rights, check out the below list. If you’re checking off any of these, it might be time to reassess your current workplace:
Unfair Pay
Not being paid at least the minimum wage or being denied proper pay for overtime or other work benefits is not a fair work practice and violates your working rights.
Unsafe Working Conditions
Fair work environments do not require employees to work in an environment that is physically or mentally unsafe or where health and safety protocols are ignored.
Unfair Treatment or Harassment
Discrimination or harassment based on gender, race, religion, or other protected characteristics is a very clear violation of your working rights.
Unreasonable Expectations
Employers who demand excessive work hours, unreasonable workloads, or don’t offer adequate support or compensation for additional responsibilities are not creating fair work environments.
Unlawful Termination
If an employer dismisses an employee without proper cause or violates their rights in the process of termination, that’s a big breach of working rights.
Make the Most of This Human Rights Day!
As we kick off the festivities this Human Rights Day, let’s remember that creating an environment of fairness and respect isn’t just a legal obligation; it’s a moral one, too. So, celebrate your working rights, advocate for fair work, and contribute to building workplaces where everyone is valued.
And if you need more tips on how to thrive in the workplace, we’ve got you covered. For all you need to know about the Australian workforce, simply head over to our Career Ready 101 blog today!
