Tasmania's anti-discrimination commissioner says it is evident that discrimination, sexual harassment and incitement to hatred continue to touch the lives of too many in the state.
Equal Opportunity's latest annual report includes stories about two people who were told to choose between their support workers or assistance dogs when attending a gig, a young woman whose boss asked her for sex, and a man who was told he would have to get out of his wheelchair to undertake medical tests.
Commissioner Sarah Bolt said of the 268 allegations of discrimination, 27 per cent related to discrimination against people with a disability, followed by race (11 per cent), gender (10 per cent) and age (8 per cent).
Private enterprises were the most complained about with 70 being identified, up from 49 the previous year.
State government entities were second highest.
Employee alleged boss 'got into her bed naked'
The report catalogues a series of cases of discrimination and harassment.
One female complainant alleged her employer entered the room where she was staying while working away from home, got into her bed naked and tried to kiss her on multiple occasions, and asked for sex.
The woman left the hotel and did not return to her job.
The commission said she withdrew her complaint after she reached a private settlement with the respondent.
In another case of sexual harassment, a woman claimed she and other female staff experienced a range of conduct, including being sent a violent pornographic video, inappropriate access of personal details of female staff, and sexually explicit comments.
She alleged that she told human resources, but no action was taken.
When she approached a senior manager to discuss the issues, she alleged he also made inappropriate and sexualised comments to the complainant.
The woman's complaint was resolved in conciliation where the respondent agreed to pay her compensation, provide a written apology, provide sexual harassment training to the whole organisation, and undertake actions to create a safe workplace for women.
Forced to choose between support workers and assistance dogs
In another case involving disability discrimination, two people wanted to attend a live performance with their support workers and assistance dogs.
They claim they were told by the event organisers that to see the performances, they would need to choose between bringing their support workers or assistance dogs, and would not be allowed to attend with both.
Following a conciliation conference, the respondent provided a written apology and arranged to do disability discrimination awareness training.
The parties agreed to work together to develop an accessibility guide to ensure future events and performances would be accessible for people with disability.
In another example of disability discrimination, a man who uses a wheelchair claimed that when he attended a medical facility he was told the diagnostic tests could not be done if he stayed in his wheelchair.
The man alleged he was "spoken to rudely, felt offended and insulted, and became distressed".
He left without the tests and lodged a complaint with Equal Opportunity.
At a conciliation conference, the respondent apologised and agreed to implement a policy that supported people living with a disability and allowed tests to be done in a wheelchair if required.
Commissioner Bolt urged people to speak up when faced with discrimination, and for communities to come together to support each other.
"The growing momentum to "Change the Date" of Australia Day and the advocacy from community groups in response to the previous federal Liberal government's Religious Discrimination Bill highlight the power of collective action", she said in the report.
"If we all took an interest in the hardships, discrimination and harassment faced by others … the prospect of reducing antisocial, discriminatory and disrespectful behaviours would be greatly increased."
