Everyone has rights and responsibilities at work

It’s important that when you start to work, you’re aware of your rights at work. Whether you’re a full-time, part-time, or casual worker, you have a number of basic rights your employer must adhere to.

Your rights at work include your rights to:
• Work in an environment that is free from any forms of discrimination, harassment or abuse
• Dress and act in a way that adheres to your religion and beliefs
• Be paid correctly and fairly
• Have equal opportunity for employment and promotion with a company regardless of your age, gender, religious beliefs or ethnicity
• Have access to the correct types of annual, family, personal and public holiday leave
• Work in a safe environment, complete with occupational health and safety procedures.

For more information on particular rights please see the fact sheets about: 
RIGHTS - Back pay
RIGHTS - Equal Opportunity
RIGHTS - Sexual Harassment
RIGHTS - Tattoos, body piercings, and hair on your face
RIGHTS - Unfair dismissal

But what about your responsibilities?

As an employee it is your responsibility to:

• Arrive on time and ready to work
• Wear the appropriate uniform or style of dress for your workplace
• Respect your employer, customers and workmates
• Carry out your job to the best of your abilities

Occupational health and safety

Your employer is responsible for health and safety at work. But you have a role to play in keeping things healthy and safe, including:

• Reporting dangerous or unsafe situations in your workplace
• Following directions for occupational health and safety, like lifting things correctly, cleaning up spills and using the right equipment for the right job (like a stepladder, not a chair for reaching high shelves).
• Reporting all work-related injuries and near injuries, no matter how small, to allow your employer to take steps to prevent any further incidents.
• Using any protective equipment needed for your job, including sun protection if working outside.
• Learning  your job’s occupational health and safety rules.
• Being familiar with your employer’s fire escape and evacuation plans.