Derogatory comments made at pest inspection

August 2022

Robert* and Guy* live together with their young daughter.

Robert booked a pest inspection and treatment for their house. When the technician arrived, he refused to provide the service which had been booked and was dismissive of Robert’s concerns about cockroaches in the bathroom. 

While the technician was inside the house, he made derogatory comments about homosexuals. He repeated these comments again on the footpath in front of the house when he was leaving.

Robert complained to the pest company but was not satisfied with their response. 

Robert lodged a complaint of homosexual discrimination and vilification with ADNSW.

The pest company did not admit to discriminating against Robert, but they did terminate the technician’s employment.

The complaint was resolved at a conciliation conference when the pest company agreed to provide Robert with a statement of regret and damages of $5,000.  

*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual