ALT-1 Importance of Knowing your Rights Discrimination Whistle Blower Laws and
Civil liberty is of the utmost important to the individual in every single aspect of their lives. However, this not something that is always obvious to some people. It is important that every one of us know every aspect of our rights.
Despite many attempts at eliminating discrimination, by laws and regulations, it still exists in some places. It doesn't matter whether you are in the workplace, dealing with local government, or within the community, you still have the right not to be descriminated against, by colour, sex, religion, disability or anything else. There are various Acts in place to deal with these problems when they occur and the individual should not be afraid to seek redress through these acts when and if necessary.
Harrassment is normally thought of as of a sexual nature, and this is true, but there are other areas in which people can be harrassed. Occassionally you hear cases where people are being harrassed by the police, or a case where a soldier is being harrassed by his fellow soldiers because he cannot keep up. Neither of thes situations are acceptable. Similarly, Co-workers could harrass people because of their colour or some other characteristic. You have the right to be able to live your life, without being harrassed. Use that right if it is necessary.
Occassionally situations may develop in certain workplace environments which are either dangerous or illegal. The workers may be reluctant to report these matters for fear of action being taken against them by their employers. They should not be so fearful. We all have a duty to ensure our own, and other peoples safety. Similarly, we have a duty to stop that which is illegal. Exercising that duty (whistle-blowing) cannot be used against you in such cicumstances and, if the employer tries to do so, there are laws to prevent it from being successful, or forcing them to compensate you.
