Skip navigation
We Are Union VTHC
Rights at work factsheets

Compassionate Leave Factsheet

Compassionate leave (or “bereavement leave”) is there to take when a member of your immediate family or household dies or contracts a life- threatening illness or injury.
Read

Discrimination and Positive Duty Factsheet

Women and gender diverse people working in male dominated industries often report experiences of discrimination across every aspect of their work.
Read

Family and Domestic Violence Leave Factsheet

Learn your rights. Violence against women is serious and widespread. In Australia, one woman is killed by their former partner every 9 days and two in five women have experienced violence since the age of 15.
Read

Flexible Work Factsheet

Flexible work is a key enabler of gender equality in the workplace. It enables workers to balance work and care, accommodate health concerns and disability as well as transition to retirement.
Read

Options to Respond Factsheet

When we know what our workplace rights are, workers in union have the power to make real change from within. These steps you can take to effectively respond to discrimination and harassment when trying to access your rights at work.
Read

Parental Leave Factsheet

Unions have always campaigned to advance gender equality. That means having access to parental leave entitlements that support both parents to spend time with their baby and family.
Read

Pay Secrecy Factsheet

‘Pay secrecy’ is a way of saying that your employment contract prohibits you from discussing your pay with your co-workers. From 7 June 2023 the law has changed. Unions have campaigned for and won changes to the Fair Work Act.
Read

Pregnancy Loss Leave Factsheet

In Australia, miscarriages occur in at least 15% of confirmed pregnancies. The actual miscarriage rate is likely much higher, around 1 in 4 pregnancies. Stillbirth is the loss of a pregnancy after 20 weeks.
Read

Returning to Work After Parental Leave Factsheet

Workers returning from parental leave frequently report challenges trying to return to work. Employers unreasonably refuse requests for part-time work and flexible work arrangements. Workers’ experience discrimination trying to access training, progression and promotion. And workers will likely experience discrimination and harassment trying to access sick and carer’s leave. None of this is ok.
Read

Righ to Disconnect Factsheet

New laws won by Unions under the Fair Work Act, give workers the formal right to disconnect from work outside of ordinary work hours. The changes aim to protect health and wellbeing. And workers now have a legal right to refuse contact. These changes are a good thing and empower workers to protect their work life balance.
Read

Safety for Pregnant Workers Factsheet

Every employer needs to provide a safe working environment that is without risks to health, for all workers including those who are pregnant (so far as is reasonably possible).
Read

Superannuation Factsheet

Read

Access to Basic Facilities Factsheet

Too many women are going to work everyday without access to a toilet, a sanitary bin and gender appropriate clothing. These are basic amenities workers need for their welfare, health and dignity.
Read

Victimisation Factsheet

Victimisation is against the law. Every worker should feel safe and supported to stand up for their rights without fear that they will be targeted or treated badly.
Read

Women HSRs Factsheet

“My advice for other women? I would tell them to know their rights, know their HSR, know they can contact WorkSafe and join a Union. I would also give them my contact details.” - Horticulture Technician
Read

Keep in Touch Days Factsheet

Under the Fair Work Act, workers on unpaid parental leave have a right to take up to 10 paid keeping in touch days. You don’t have to use them. However, keeping in touch days are a good way to stay connected to work, keep your skills up to date and make it a little easier to return when you’re ready.
Read

Personal and Carers Leave Factsheets

Women in Australia still take on around 30 hours of unpaid care and domestic work each week, nearly double that of men. Too many workplaces tolerate negative attitudes towards care.
Read

Secure Work - Casual Factsheet

Workers are much less likely to raise concerns at work if their employment is insecure. This means that experiences of gender-based violence, sexual harassment and discrimination go unreported because workers on fixed-term contracts and casuals fear they won’t get shifts or will get the sack.
Read

Secure Work - Fixed Term Factsheet

Workers are much less likely to raise concerns at work if their employment is insecure. This means that experiences of gender-based violence, sexual harassment and discrimination go unreported because workers on fixed-term contracts and casuals fear they won’t get shifts or will get the sack.
Read

Info for Delegates Factsheet

What is a Delegate? A Union Delegate is a worker who is elected to represent the interests of Union members in the workplace. Delegates stand up for workers’ rights, engage with management during disputes, and ensure workers are informed about their rights at work.
Read

Gender-based violence and sexual harrasment at work

Read

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in sexual harassment cases

Read