Sexual harassment is never acceptable. The federal Albanese government has reversed the previous government's inaction and finally moved to put key Respect@Work report recommendations into legislation.
The proposed legislation will enact a positive duty on employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work.
The duty will also require employers to prevent harassment by third parties such as customers or clients of workers.
“This is such an important and long overdue legislative change as sexual harassment at work is rife in Australia with women having a 2 in 3 chance of experiencing it in a current or former workplace", said ACTU President Michele O'Neil.
The ACTU has welcomed the Albanese government's action in implementing the Respect@Work report's recommendations.
“Employers having an obligation to prevent sexual harassment is essential to making workplaces safe for everyone.
We will not have gender equality while women are having to leave jobs because they feel unsafe," Michele O'Neil said.
This win comes after strong campaigning by members of Together and other unions. Union members are dedicating to eradicating the scourge of sexual harassment at work.
