Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment is against the law.

Sexual harassment is any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour, which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated, including unwanted comments or suggestions of a sexual nature to another person and/or inappropriate touching of another person.

Sexual harassment is not interaction, flirtation or friendship which is mutual or consensual.

Sexual harassment at work is against the law.  Sexual harrassment can be committed by an employer, workmate or other people in a working relationship with you.

If it happens to you, you should tell the offender that the behaviour is unacceptable, and that they should stop immediately. You should then let someone in charge know what has happened, when it occurred and the names of anyone who witnessed the incident.

Your workplace should have policies and procedures in place to help you to deal with the situation, however if you feel your case isn’t being dealt with properly, you can lodge a complaint with the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner (within 12 months from the date that the incident occurred).

You have the right to make a complaint. If you make a complaint about sexual harassment and, as a result, your employer takes adverse action against you (for example, by reducing your hours or dismissing you), you may have a general protections claim.

FYI – If you don’t report it to your employer, no-one will know – tell someone. All sexual harassment involving physical contact can be reported to Police immediately. If you are experiencing any forms of harassment you should speak to your employer.