An Albanese Labor Government will strengthen laws to make it clear employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work.
The change is a key recommendation of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s Respect@Work report. This change will confirm that employers have a positive duty to keep their staff safe from sexual harassment.
In the past five years, one in three people experienced sexual harassment at work, including two in five women.
Often there are only consequences for employers after sexual harassment has occurred, and only if victims are brave enough to risk their careers by making a formal complaint.
This can lead to employers discouraging victims from making complaints, instead of providing a safe working environment, free from sexual harassment.
As the Respect@Work report makes clear, existing laws are not working to protect workers and reform is urgently needed.
Labor’s commitment is about helping to stop workplace sexual harassment before it starts.
In Government, Labor would have the Workplace Sexual Harassment Council consult with employers, workers, unions, and legal experts on the design and implementation of these strengthened laws.
The Liberals made a big flashy announcement and said they had agreed to all 55 recommendations of the Respect@Work report. But they haven’t.
That’s the thing about Scott Morrison announcements: there’s always a catch. There’s always a nasty surprise in the fine print.
Australian women want action from their government, not just words. Australian women want real leadership. They are not getting that from Scott Morrison, but they will with Labor.
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