Workplace sexual harassment is a serious and persistent problem directly impacting one in three employees. As well as causing significant personal harm, it costs the economy more than $3.8billion per year. Evidence shows that discrimination and gender inequality are the key drivers of workplace sexual harassment.
A new survey from Our Watch of 1000 employees and 500 workplace leaders of organisation with at least 20 employees reveals that 40% of workplace leaders are not aware of the new legal obligation to prevent workplace sexual harassment and only 76% of leaders know that workplace sexual harassment is illegal. Despite these knowledge gaps, 70% of workplace leaders were highly confident that their workplace is aware of the requirements.
The Australian Human Rights Commission introduced positive duty regulations in December 2022, moving the legal onus for prevention onto employers. It is not sufficient to just respond to incidents.
Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said workplace sexual harassment was preventable, and that “all employees should feel safe at work. When workplaces create a culture of safety and respect, business profitability increases, along with productivity and employee engagement.”
Ms Kinnersly urged more workplaces to make the necessary changes sooner, including action plans on recruiting and retaining women in leadership, promoting gender-equal parental leave, and active bystander training so that inappropriate behaviours are safely called out.
Read more: AHRC LAUNCHES POSITIVE DUTY ANIMATIONS - OHS Reps
Our Watch | New survey: A significant number of workplaces may not be…
Guidelines for Complying with the Positive Duty under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth)