Australian Chamber calls for action and support to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace

12 Sep 2018 |

Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that new data reporting Australians’ experiences of sexual harassment at work raises concern.

Particularly striking is data suggesting that, in two-thirds of cases, a single perpetrator carries out sexual harassment and that most perpetrators are co-workers at the same level.

“Australian employers do not want sexual harassment in their workplaces,” Australian Chamber CEO, James Pearson, said today.

“Businesses and their leaders recognize their responsibility to drive good behaviour and the importance of people in their workforce understanding what is expected. It is everyone’s responsibility to act appropriately at work.

“Employers need to be supported to create and sustain workplace cultures where it is clear sexual harassment is not tolerated and where there will be consequences for those breaching policies and expectations of acceptable conduct in the workplace.

“Everyone in the workplace has an individual responsibility to refrain from sexual harassment. Employers tell us they need our workplace laws to better back them to deal with offending behaviour.

“To be effective, it is important that recommendations arising from the inquiry are practical and able to be implemented across a diverse range of business environments, including small businesses.

“The Australian Chamber looks forward to working with the Sex Discrimination Commissioner and other members of the high-level reference group supporting the inquiry.”

Duncan Bremner

Director - Public Affairs and Advocacy

P  |  0448 822 666

E  |  [email protected]

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