It has been amended several times since in order to improve protections. The Legislature of Newfoundland believes implicity in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as proclaimed by the United Nations. To reaffirm the Legislature's faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women, the Code was made law. The provisions of the Code allow for the regulation of all matters concerning human rights that fall within the competence of the legislature. In the areas of accommodation, services, occupancy of dwelling units, employment and publications, the Code prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, religious creed, sex, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, political opinion, sexual orientation, colour or ethnic, national or social origin.
Age is also a protected area in employment.
However, it should be noted that a bona fide occupational qualification may be a significant factor in the consideration of a particular situation. The Code prohibits harassment of a person who is an occupant of a commercial unit or dwelling unit because of race, religion, sex, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, etc. Harassment, on the same basis, is also prohibited in a place of business. The Code prohibits a person who is in a position to confer, grant of deny a benefit or advancement from engaging in sexual solicitation or sexual advance where the person making the advance knows or ought reasonably to know that it is unwelcome. A complaint may be filed against a co-worker where a supervisor has been advised of the matter.