New national guide to prevention of workplace harassment.
Safe Work Australia has developed new resources to provide practical guidance to businesses to help them prevent workplace sexual harassment, violence, aggression and domestic violence.
Under Australia’s model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, employers must proactively manage risks to health and safety arising from work. This includes both physical and mental health. The new information provides guidance to anyone who has a WHS duty to protect the health and safety of workers.
The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) prohibits sexual harassment in a workplace. Sexual harassment is also covered by WHS laws as it is a workplace hazard, which is known to cause psychological and physical harm.
Workplace sexual harassment – advice for workers
Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated, where that reaction is reasonable in the circumstances.
Sexual harassment can take various forms. It can include unwelcome hugging, kissing or other types of inappropriate physical contact, staring or leering, intrusive questions about your private life or physical appearance, unwanted invitations to go out on dates, requests for sex, or sexually explicit emails, calls, text messages or online interactions.
Such behaviour does not have to be directed specifically at you. Sexual harassment includes behaviour that makes the environment you are working in uncomfortable or threatening in a sexually hostile way, such as sexually offensive pictures or a culture of suggestive comments or jokes.
Workplace sexual harassment can happen during working hours, at work-related activities such as training courses, conferences, trips and work-related social activities. It might come from other workers, your supervisor or manager, or from your customers or clients.
If you are believe you are being sexually harassed ring our office on 8410 0122 to speak with your school organiser. The IEU can advise you on your rights.
You can download this guide from this link.