Respect @ Work
On 27 September 2022, the Albanese Government introduced the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022 into Commonwealth Parliament. The Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament on 28 November 2022.
The new legislation implements a number of the recommendations in the Respect@Work Report released following the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces in 2018.
Among other things, the new legislation will amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) to implement a positive duty on all persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate, as far as possible, workplace sexual harassment, sex discrimination and victimisation.
Learn more about the new Respect@Work duties and their implications for employers.
Guidelines for complying with positive duty to eliminate sexual harassment
Since December 2022, Australian employers and persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) have a positive duty to eliminate sexual harassment from the workplace.
The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has now published comprehensive guidelines for complying with the positive duty. The guidelines provide detailed information and practical actions for organisations to ensure compliance.
We recommend organisations compare the controls they currently have in place to eliminate sexual harassment against the AHRC's guidelines and fill in any gaps prior to the AHRC's enforcement powers commencing in December 2023. We are working with many clients to achieve this, so please get in touch if you require assistance.
Respect@Work
And psychological safety in the workplace
The highly anticipated Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022 has significant implications for all employers, in a bid to eliminate sexual harassment from the workplace.
During this session, learn about:
- key changes to current legislation
- new obligations for employers
- the steps organisations should be taking now to ensure compliance and move towards proactive obligations
The Federal Court recently handed down a landmark decision awarding a significant sum of general damages to an employee who had been sexually harassed by her boss at work.
The *Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022* contains significant changes to the Fair Work Act relating to workplace sexual harassment.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to table the International Labour Convention 190 in the Australian Parliament. ILO Convention 190 is the first international labour standard to provide a common framework to prevent, remedy and eliminate violence and harassment in the workplace.
On 27 September 2022 the Australian Labor Government tabled its proposed bill to address sexual harassment at work, including the positive duty on employers and persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to eliminate sexual harassment at work.
Businesses in NSW are now explicitly required to manage psychosocial risks to worker health and safety, as part of the increasing push to address mental health in the workplace.
There has been a multitude of litigated disputes involving sexual harassment claims in recent years, with consequent significant awards of damages in favour of successful claimants. Learn more about five key cases here.
This article explores practical and effective recommendations for employers to improve workplace safety and ensure they are free from sexual misconduct.
Addressing sexual harassment in the workplace remains a key focus for employers in 2022. Explore the rights and obligations of employers in preventing sexual harassment in the workplace along with steps employers should be taking now.
Diagnostic tool
Strengthen protections for your organisation and address key risks through more effective diagnosis.
Access Lander & Rogers’ diagnostic risk application for a simple and effective method of identifying and assessing the known drivers of workplace sexual harassment and addressing your organisation’s exposure to incoming Respect@Work legislation.
Speak with your Lander & Rogers representative to learn more.
Workplace training
Access on-demand or bespoke workplace training to prepare your organisation for impending changes from the Respect at Work Bill.
On-demand webinar
Access this webinar to learn more about the introduction of a positive duty on employers to eliminate sexual harassment and sex discrimination.
Live presentation and Q&A
Access live in-person or virtual training with a hosted Q&A covering Respect@Work and your rights and obligations as an employer.
Speak with your Lander & Rogers representative to learn more or enquire now.
Customised workplace training
Tailor Respect@Work training to suit the needs of your organisation, with customised options by role and level for efficiency and impact.
Speak with your Lander & Rogers representative to learn more or enquire now.