Protecting workers from sexual harassment at work is a SafeWork NSW regulatory priority.

The event, ‘Awareness to Action: Preventing workplace sexual harassment’ held on Thursday in Sydney brought together a diverse group of workers, unions, business leaders and experts to encourage practical action from NSW employers.

The keynote address was delivered by federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Anna Cody, following the Australian Human Rights Commission’s landmark 2020 Respect@Work Report, which found that 1 in 3 Australian workers had experienced sexual harassment.

Key issues explored at the event included strategies for effective work design to prevent sexual harassment in male-dominant industries, safety at work for new and younger workers and the importance of workplace culture, leadership and governance in stamping out sexual harassment.

Other speakers included Unions NSW Secretary, Mark Morey, CEO of Our Watch, Patty Kinnersly and CEO of Business NSW, Dan Hunter.

The event has been spearheaded by the NSW Respect at Work Advisory Group; a 17-member body chaired by SafeWork NSW.

The event also marked one year since the Advisory Group’s establishment, which has brought together worker, business, community, expert, local, state and federal government representatives to share knowledge and improve cross-sector collaboration.

NSW was one of the first states to adopt the Code of Practice: Sexual and gender-based harassment and launched a four-year Respect at Work Strategy last year.

The SafeWork NSW Respect at Work Taskforce has developed practical easy-to-use resources to support businesses to fulfil their WHS responsibilities to manage workplace sexual harassment risks. The Taskforce website has resources and tools to assist businesses.

Workers who experience unsafe practices are urged to report it to their workplace.  If workers are not able to report the WHS issue or are not satisfied with the workplace’s response, they can anonymously report WHS issues to SafeWork via the “Speak Up Save Lives” app.

Workers can also call SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or report online using the SafeWork Psychosocial Hazards Report Form.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis

“Addressing workplace sexual harassment is a key regulatory priority for SafeWork NSW and businesses need to step up and take action to protect their workers.

“Businesses are required, under NSW’s work, health and safety laws, to address the risk of sexual harassment to their workers.  Compliance with the law is also good for business – with safer and more respectful workplaces contributing to greater staff recruitment, retention and morale.

“We must continue to work together across sectors and the wider community to secure safer and more respectful work environments for NSW workers.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Women, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison

“Workplaces play an important role in preventing and responding to sexual violence. Every worker has a right to a safe and healthy workplace, free from sexual and gender-based harassment.

“The NSW Government is working to prevent sexual harassment and violence in our community. One of the priority areas of our Primary Prevention Strategy is to address the drivers of gender-based violence in NSW workplaces and we’ll be working with employers in rolling out the strategy.

“This event brings together a diverse group of worker representatives, business leaders and experts to showcase the latest insights and ideas and drive much needed action towards ending sexual harassment.”