ARTICLE · 14 OCTOBER 2021

Labour supplier and contractor engaged in age discrimination

People + Culture Strategies

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No organisation, regardless of its purpose and role in the community, is entitled to discrimination in the workplace.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Andrew Jose

Lucinda Anderson

A labour hire and recruitment company and a company providing civil construction, transport, and mining-related services have been issued fines totalling $29,000 by the Federal Court after they engaged in age discrimination against an 70 year old prospective employee. The case highlights the importance of ensuring that employers carefully consider the inherent requirements of a role when recruiting.

Background

The applicant in the case applied for a position with the second respondent, a company providing civil construction, transport and mining-related services to clients in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. An employee of the first respondent, who was the recruiter engaged by the second respondent, initially forwarded the application to the second respondent, saying “looks like I have a guy ready to go”.

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