Sexual Harassment at work - Compliance Training for Australian Business

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Sexual harassment is prohibited in the workplace. Workplace refers to ‘a place at which a workplace participant works or carries out functions in connection with being a workplace participant.’

**Workplace **is a place where a workplace participant carries out functions related to work (including offices, factories, hospitals, vehicles etc.) Sexual harassment at work also extends to conduct that occurs beyond the normal workplace and normal working hours and at high-risk events, such as work functions, conferences and training centres, restaurants for work functions, hotels for work trips, office parties et.

It is unlawful to sexually harass: an employee (or prospective) employee, commission agent or contract worker a colleague (or prospective) colleague, partner, fellow commission agent or fellow contract worker another workplace participant your employer, including sole trader employers a person seeking approval in connection with an occupational qualification (eg renewing a qualification needed to practice a profession or carry on a trade) a member or prospective member of a registered organisation (eg union) a person in the course of providing, or offering to provide, services of an employment agency.

The following information is based on a study completed by the Australian Human Rights Commission in 2018 Everyone’s business: Fourth national survey on sexual harassment in Australian workplaces

To access the full study: Everyone’s business: Fourth national survey on sexual harassment in Australian workplaces 2018 Click here

**If sexual harassment occurs in the workplace, it has consequences for all those involved. ** Much like workplace bullying and discrimination, workplace sexual harassment can affect people in a number of ways, resulting in psychological distress such as anxiety, panic attacks, low self-esteem and depression.

Physical responses to workplace sexual harassment can include illness, muscular tension, headaches, digestive problems and sleep disturbance.

Workplaces also experience the effects with a reduction in motivation and productivity, increased absenteeism, taking of more sick leave and a negative impact on the overall culture.

If you experience (or witness) sexual harassment at work, there are steps you can take.

If you see or hear sexual harassment in the workplace, you are a bystander and you too play a role in reducing the harm of the sexual harassment. Ways you can help: Report any sexual harassment you see or hear about If someone tells you they have been sexually harassed, listen to them and help them take steps to stop the sexual harassment.