Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Equal Opportunity Act 1995 - SECT 31A

Firm must accommodate responsibilities as parent or carer of person invited to become a partner or of a partner

31A. Firm must accommodate responsibilities as parent or carer of person
invited to become a partner or of a partner



(1) A firm comprising 5 or more partners must not, in the work arrangements of
a person invited to become a partner or of a partner, unreasonably refuse to
accommodate the responsibilities that the person or partner has as a parent or
carer.

Example A firm may be able to accommodate the responsibilities that a person
or partner has as a parent or carer by allowing the person or partner to have
flexible attendance arrangements.

(2) In determining whether a firm unreasonably refuses to accommodate the
responsibilities that a person or partner has as a parent or carer, all
relevant facts and circumstances must be considered, including-

   (a)  the circumstances of the person or partner, including the nature of
        his or her responsibilities as a parent or carer; and

   (b)  the nature of the partnership role; and

   (c)  the nature of the arrangements required to accommodate those
        responsibilities; and

   (d)  the financial circumstances of the firm; and

   (e)  the size and nature of the workplace and the firm's business; and

   (f)  the effect on the workplace and the firm's business of accommodating
        those responsibilities, including-

   (i)  the financial impact of doing so;

   (ii) the number of persons who would benefit from or be disadvantaged by
        doing so;

   (iii) the impact on efficiency and productivity and, if applicable, on
        customer service of doing so; and

   (g)  the consequences for the firm of making such accommodation; and

   (h)  the consequences for the person or partner of not making such
        accommodation.