Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

“Let’s be very clear about sexual harassment.”

This is the message from WorkSafe Victoria on their recent campaign which aims to raise awareness about sexual harassment in the workplace.

The campaign seeks to educate employers on their responsibilities and encourage workers to call out unacceptable behaviour.

Did you know that preventing and effectively dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace is the employer’s responsibility and that failing to protect workers is a crime?

WorkSafe received 134 injury claims involving possible sexual harassment in the 2019/20 financial year, but the rate of sexual harassment is likely to be higher as much goes unreported.

“Let’s be very clear – a workplace where sexual harassment is tolerated is an unsafe workplace,” states Julie Nielsen, WorkSafe’s health and safety executive director.

“Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace and we all have a role to play in calling out this unacceptable behaviour when we see it.”

For more information about minimising and handling sexual harassment in the workplace, visit https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/sexual-harassment