Workplace Behaviour
In September, the Federal Government introduced the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022 (Cth) (Bill) which are important reforms to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 in response to the 2020 Respect@Work report on workplace sexual harassment.
Employers now need to take a proactive approach in eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace. Some helpful points to get you started:
Normalise the conversation about sexual harassment and make it clear that you have a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours.
Do a risk assessment of your workplace. Are you considered a hostile workplace environment? What are the potential hazards? What processes do you have in place to minimise sexual harassment and any other unlawful or unacceptable behaviours?\
Make sure you have a policy in place that looks at all types of unacceptable and unlawful behaviours in addition to how complaints will be addressed.
Ensure you have additional policies reflecting high risk situations. This could include a Company Events Policy and/or a Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking Policy.
What support does your business have in place in the event there is an allegation of unlawful or unacceptable behaviour? This could be an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or perhaps engagement with a Mental Health First Aid Officer.
Do you have a register of complaints?
What training programs can you implement within the workplace that addresses unacceptable and unlawful behaviours?