Equal Opportunity On Line Training Module 1: Legal Overview

The Merit Principle

Inherent in many of the equal opportunity laws is the concept that all decisions relating to staff or students should be based on merit. This means that recruitment, selection, promotion, access to benefits, training etc. should be based on who is the best person. Thus an objective set of criteria needs to be developed and each applicant assessed against these. Applying the Merit Principle is a way of ensuring you avoid direct or indirect discrimination.

Universities need to draw on the full range of talent, skills and knowledge when employing, training and promoting staff.

Monash aims to increase the diversity of staff to more accurately reflect the representation of various groups in the community. Organisational structures which value and reflect the importance of different experiences, backgrounds and histories will more likely achieve this goal.

The promotion and valuing of difference leads to equal opportunity.

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