What are the legal requirements for workplace policies on hygiene and sanitation?

All products must be produced in a hygienic manner as outlined in Australian Standard for hygiene production and transportation of meat and meat products for human consumption. If you follow these standards, you are in control of operations which can pose product contamination risks.

The relevant controlling authority makes sure that these requirements are met. Companies that breach or break the hygiene and sanitation regulatory requirements can have their registration suspended. In turn, workers can be stood down or laid off.

What are the legal requirements for workplace policies on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)?

There are a number of federal anti-discrimination acts. Each State and Territory has its own anti-discrimination legislation to ensure EEO requirements are met in employment.

It is unlawful to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of:

• age
• sex
• disability
• race
• to sexually harass another person.

Sexual harassment is verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which is unwelcome or uninvited, which any reasonable person would view as offensive.

Severe penalties apply to companies that permit this kind of behaviour. Sexual harassment is illegal

What are industrial awards or agreements?

Industrial awards or agreements describe the conditions of employment.

Industrial award or agreement provisions may include:

• hours of work
• overtime
• annual leave
• sick leave
• long service leave
• public holidays
• grievance procedures
• superannuation
• disciplinary procedures.

Awards cover a whole industry or occupation and only provide a safety net of minimum pay rates and employment conditions. Enterprise agreements can be tailored to meet the needs of particular enterprises.