Understanding Family Status Discrimination Ordinance
2024-08-21
Under the Family Status Discrimination Ordinance (FSDO) (Cap. 527), it is unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground of family status. "Family status" means the status of having a responsibility for the care of an immediate family member, and "immediate family member", in turn, means a person who is related to someone by blood, marriage, adoption or affinity. Victimisation is also unlawful under the FSDO.
The areas of activities for which a person may lodge a complaint under the FSDO are the same as those under the SDO, which include:
- employment
- education
- provision of goods, services and/or facilities
- disposal and/or management of premises
- eligibility to vote for and to be elected or appointed to advisory bodies
- participation in clubs
- activities of the Government
The Equal Opportunities Commission issued the Code of Practice on Employment under the FSDO, which aims to eliminate discrimination on the ground of family status in the workplace and stipulates protection for employees with family status.
For more details, please visit the Equal Opportunities Commission website.
Source: Equal Opportunities Commission
3 February 2025