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The role of a DCO
Information for complainants
Information for respondents
Information for managers and supervisors
Find a DCO
Roles of a Discrimination Contact
Officer (DCO)
A Discrimination Contact Officer is usually the first point of contact and
information for staff and students involved in a complaint of discrimination
or harassment (eg race, gender, sexuality or disability discrimination).
A Discrimination Contact Officer may be contacted by:
- staff or students who feel they have experienced discrimination or harassment
(complainants)
- staff or students who think a complaint of discrimination or harassment
may be made against them (respondents), or
- supervisors/managers conciliating complaints of discrimination or harassment.
Information for complainants
When contacted by a complainant, the role of a
Discrimination Contact Officer includes:
- listening to and assisting the complainant to clarify the nature of their
complaint
- exploring possible strategies/options for the complainant to resolve the
situation directly with the respondent (if they choose to do so), and accompanying
the complainant to any meetings with the respondent (if requested)
- informing the complainant of options available through QUT's discrimination
and harassment complaint procedures, and accompanying the complainant to any
meetings with, for example, the respondent's supervisor (if requested)
- informing the complainant of rights and responsibilities under legislation
and procedures for taking a complaint through external channels, such as the
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission or the Anti-Discrimination Commission,
Queensland (if they choose to do so)
- ensuring the complainant understands the need to maintain confidentiality.
Information for respondents
When contacted by a respondent, the role of a Discrimination
Contact Officer includes:
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listening to and assisting the respondent to understand the nature of the complaint and to clarify their response
- exploring possible strategies/ options for the respondent to resolve the situation, and accommpanying the respondent to any meetings with the complainant (if requested)
- informing the respondent of QUT's discrimination and harassment complaint procedures and accompanying the respondent to any meetings with, for example, the complainant's supervisor (if requested)
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informing the respondent of their rights and responsibilities under legislation and procedures if a complaint is taken through external channels, such as the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission or the Anti-Discrimination Commission, Queensland.
- ensuring the respndent understands the need to maintain confidentiality.
A Discrimination Contact Officer will not advise both the complainant and
respondent for the same complaint. If both parties contact the same Contact
Officer, one will be referred to another Contact Officer.
Information for managers and supervisors
When contacted by a manager or supervisor, the role of
a Discrimination Contact Officer includes:
-
explaining QUT's discrimination and harassment complaint procedures
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clarifying the nature of a complaint (only with the complainant's permission)
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advising on options or strategies for resolving a complaint of discrimination or harassment.
The role of a Discrimination Contact Officer is to inform and support one
of the parties to a complaint and to ensure that a fair and just process is
being followed.
The role of a Discrimination Contact Officer does not include:
-
advocating for the complainant or respondent
-
investigating complaints, or
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conciliating complaints.
For more information about the complaints procedures see policies
and procedures.
Find a Discrimination Contact Officer
The Discrimination Contact Officers available at all QUT campuses.
The full list of Discrimination Contact Officers is also available as a Word document (suitable for printing)
Correct as at 26.02.2008
For further assistance contact the Equity Section
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