What Is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome requests for sexual favours, or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in circumstances in which a reasonable person, having regard to the circumstances would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.
To be sexual harassment, the conduct must be:
- unwelcome;
- of a sexual nature and
- The kind of behaviour that a reasonable person would anticipate is the possibility that the harassed person would be offended, humiliated, or intimidated.
Examples Of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment may take various forms, including:
- repeated and unwelcome requests for sexual favours and threats of adverse employment action
- inappropriate physical contact (e.g. hugging or kissing) or unnecessary familiarity, such as deliberately brushing up against a person
- repeated and unwelcome flirting, compliments or touching
- inappropriate advances on social networking sites
- offensive comments or compliments on physical appearance, dress or private life
- lewd jokes, gestures, staring or leering
- public display of pornography in the workplace, including on the internet by email or on mobile phones
- unsolicited physical contact, such as patting or pinching
- nudity
- sexual violence, indecent or sexual assault and stalking.
Sexual Harassment and The Law
Sexual harassment is a serious issue and will not be tolerated by organisations that have a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace culture. If an employee, contractor or volunteer is found to have engaged in sexual harassment, it may be treated as misconduct. In severe cases, sexual harassment can be considered a criminal offence. Laws protect the rights of individuals to ensure a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace. Behaviour that is sexual harassment will lead to potential disciplinary action being taken, up to and including termination of employment. These laws apply to all workplaces in Australia, regardless of their size. They protect employees, contractors, volunteers, customers, and visitors.
The Duty of a Supervisor and Manager to Eliminate Sexual Harassment in The Workplace
Everyone is responsible for acting professionally and creating a workplace that does not tolerate sexual harassment.
Employers will be vicariously liable for acts of sexual harassment carried out by their workers or agents unless they can show that they have taken reasonable precautions to prevent the conduct from occurring and have responded appropriately to resolve incidents of sexual harassment.
As a supervisor or manager, you also must take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate sexual harassment from occurring as far as possible. This is a requirement by law and will enable a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace.
Like To Learn More?
To learn more about supervisory and managerial responsibilities regarding preventing and responding to sexual harassment in the workplace, please refer to the Sentrient series of online compliance courses for supervisors and managers.
- Preventing and responding to sexual harassment for supervisors and managers
- Preventing and responding to workplace bullying for supervisors and managers
- Creating a safe and mentally healthy workplace for supervisors and managers
- Enabling diversity and workplace flexibility for supervisors and managers
- Managing performance and misconduct for supervisors and managers
- Resolving conflict and grievances for supervisors and managers
To Get a Free Demonstration of The Supervisors and Managers Suite of Online Compliance Courses, please contact Us Today!
