How does the fair go apply in employment?
Answer
People should be hired and promoted based on merit, not connections or bias
Explanation
The fair go applies in employment through a combination of legal protections, institutional arrangements, and cultural expectations. Australian workplaces are expected to offer fair pay, safe working conditions, equal opportunity, protection from discrimination, and a balance between work and other life responsibilities.
Legal foundations are extensive. The Fair Work Act 2009 sets the National Employment Standards, including four weeks annual leave, ten days personal/carer's leave, twelve months unpaid parental leave, paid public holidays, and (from 2024) the right to disconnect outside work hours. The federal minimum wage, set each year by the Fair Work Commission, ensures a wage floor. Modern awards and enterprise agreements set higher minimums for specific industries and workplaces. Workplace safety laws require employers to provide a safe environment under WHS legislation.
Anti-discrimination protections support the fair go in hiring and promotion. The Sex Discrimination Act 1984, the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, and the Age Discrimination Act 2004 all prohibit treating someone less favourably in employment because of protected attributes. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency requires reporting on gender equality indicators. The Respect@Work framework imposes a positive duty on employers to eliminate sexual harassment.
Beyond the law, the fair go is reflected in Australian workplace culture. Informal first-name address regardless of rank, a reasonably egalitarian approach to lunch and break rooms, and a tradition of calling out unreasonable management decisions all reflect the principle. The Boxing Day-to-New Year shutdown, the Friday afternoon at the local pub, and the long summer holiday season give workers regular breaks. Specific protections against unfair dismissal (with 21 days to lodge an application with the Fair Work Commission) and against adverse action for exercising workplace rights round out the framework. About 56 per cent of Australian workers are covered by a collective agreement or modern award, with most others on individual contracts at or above the minimum wage.
Why this matters for your test
The fair go in employment is supported by one of the more comprehensive workplace law frameworks in the OECD, and recognising the Fair Work Act, discrimination protections, and the right to disconnect helps new citizens claim their fair share.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond (2024)
