Equity contacts, services and programs

Equity networks

The Staff Equity and Diversity Office within Human Resources maintains a trained network of volunteer employee Harassment and Discrimination Contact Officers (HDCOs) in most areas of the University, providing a vital link to ensure that the University meets its legal obligations in relation to employment and education.

A HDCO is usually the first point of contact and information for employees and students seeking further information regarding discrimination, workplace harassment , sexual harassment and bullying(eg race, gender, sexuality or disability discrimination).

A HDCO may be contacted by:

employees or students who feel they have experienced discrimination or harassment (complainants)
employees or students who think a complaint of discrimination or harassment may be made against them (respondents), or
supervisors/managers resolving complaints of discrimination or harassment.

The specific role of HDCOs is to:

Provide a ‘first point of contact' for people with enquiries related to discrimination, harassment and bullying.
Provide information to clients, including complainants, respondents and managers/supervisors about the University's policies, grievance resolution procedures related to harassment and discrimination, and where to access support or advice, both internal and external to USQ.
Undertake awareness-raising in the workplace about USQ policies and procedures in regard to discrimination and harassment and complaint resolution.
Assist parties to work towards a solution by encouraging them to generate options for dealing with their particular concern.
Where possible and as appropriate, encourage parties to utilise the lower level, informal processes available to them.
Provide feedback to the Manager (Staff Equity and Diversity) for statistical purposes, and alert the Manager (Staff Equity and Diversity) to any issues/problems related to the HDCO role.

Information for complainants

When contacted by a complainant, the role of a HDCO 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 USQ’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 Australian Human Rights 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 HDCO includes:

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 accompanying the respondent to any meetings with the complainant (if requested)
informing the respondent of USQ's discrimination and harassment complaint procedures and accompanying the respondent to any meetings with, for example, the complainant's supervisor (if requested)
informing the respondent of their rights and responsibilities under legislation and procedures if a complaint is taken through external channels, such as the Australian Human Rights Commission or the Anti-Discrimination Commission, Queensland.
ensuring the respondent understands the need to maintain confidentiality.

A HDCO will not advise both the complainant and respondent for the same complaint. If both parties contact the same HDCO, one will be referred to another HDCO.

Information for managers and supervisors

When contacted by a manager or supervisor, the role of a Harassment and Discrimination Contact Officer includes:

explaining USQ’s discrimination and harassment complaint procedures
clarifying the nature of a complaint
providing options or strategies for resolving a complaint of discrimination or harassment.

The role of a HDCO is to inform and support one of the parties to a complaint and to ensure that a fair and just process is being followed.

A HDCO will not:

Engage in advocacy on behalf of an individual
Undertake mediation or investigation
In any way become involved in the grievance resolution process
Act as a HDCO in situations where there may be a conflict of interest. In such instances, clients are to be referred.

It is expected that HDCOs will:

Have a commitment to and understanding of social justice and equal opportunity.
Be discreet and maintain confidentiality of the issues raised by people seeking information.

Harassment and Discrimination Contact Officers

You may contact any one of the trained HDCOs for information and assistance at Toowoomba, Springfield and Fraser Coast Campuses.

You are NOT restricted to the HDCO/s in your particular area. Please note that the HDCOs are part-time volunteers whose role is to proivde information about USQ processes. This does not in any way constitute legal advice.

Toowoomba Campus

Katrina Bidgood, Faculty of Arts
Raeleen Cahill, Student Management Division
Sian Carlyon, Global Learning Division
Ann Dashwood, Faculty of Education
Rebekah Davidson, Pro Vice-Chancellor's Office (Social Justice)
Ross Dossetto, Financial and Business Services
Jan Elsley, Human Resources
Richard Gehrmann, Faculty of Arts
Ray Hingst, Faculty of Business and Law
Wendy Hoey, Division of ICT Services
Graham Kemp, Division of ICT Services
Lesley McAuley-Jones, Faculty of Education
Ranald Simpson, Student Management Division
Sam Tickell, Corporate Communications

Student Representative: Isabella Chassain

Fraser Coast Campus

Lyn Forrest, Faculty of Sciences
Judy Hawkes, Administration
Erica MacPhail, Administration
Helen van Herk, Administration

Student Representative: Kelly Ralston

Springfield Campus

Sue Basu, Campus and Student Support
Kerrie McLaren, Library Services