Amberley O.S.H.C.
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8.23 Workplace Sexual Harassment
Amberley O.S.H.C is committed to ensuring the working environment is free from sexual harassment where all employees are treated with dignity, courtesy and respect. This includes any work-related activities such as conferences, work functions and/or excursions.
Relevant Laws and other Provisions
The laws and other provisions affecting this policy include:
- Sexual Discrimination Act 1984
- Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (QLD)
- Fair Work Act and Regulations 2009
- NQS Area: 4.1; 4.2; 7.1.2, 7.1.3; 7.2.2; 7.3.1, 7.3.2, 7.3.5.
- Policies: 1 – Role and Expectations of Educators, 8.3 – Recruitment and Employment of Educators, 8.6 – Employee Volunteer and Grievance 8.9 – Employee Code of Conduct, 8.10 – Employee Orientation and Induction, 8.22 – Employee Counselling and Disciplinary Procedures, 10.8 – Information Handling (Privacy and Confidentiality)
Procedures
Definition
‘Sexual Harassment’ is any unwanted, unwelcome or uninvited behaviour of a sexual nature which makes a person feel humiliated, intimidated or offended.
Sexual harassment in the workplace can take many different forms and may include:
- Staring, leering or unwelcome touching;
- Suggestive comments or jokes;
- Unwanted invitations or requests for sex;
- Intrusive questions about a person’s private life or body;
- Insults or taunts based on sex;
- Sexually offensive communications (phone, email, SMS or other social media).
Sexual harassment is not behaviour which is based on mutual attraction, friendship and respect. If the interaction is consensual, welcome and reciprocated it is not sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment doesn’t have to be repeated or continuous to be against the law with some types of sexual harassment being offences under criminal law. These include:
- Physical molestation or assault;
- Indecent exposure;
- Stalking;
- Obscene communications (telephone calls, letters, etc.).
The service has a legal responsibility to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, therefore the coordinator and other members of management have a particular obligation to:
- Model appropriate behaviour;
- Promote this policy;
- Treat all complaints seriously and attend to them promptly;
- Monitor the work environment; and
- Seek expert help for complex or serious matters.
The service will take disciplinary action against any employee found to have breached this policy, which may include:
- An official warning and note on the employee’s file;
- A formal apology;
- Counselling;
- Demotion; or
- Dismissal for serious misconduct.
Complaints of sexual harassment will be dealt with as per the Employee and Volunteer Grievance Policy and will be dealt with as per the Employee Counselling and Disciplinary Procedures Policy.
References
Australian Human Rights Commision. (n.d.). Information for Employers. Retrieved from Sex Descrimination and Sexual Harasment: www.humanrights.gov.au/commision-website-information-employers
Australian Human Rights Commision. (n.d.). Information for Employers. Retrieved from Writing an Effective Sexual Harassment Policy: www.humanrights.gov.au/commission-website-information-employers-0
Community Management Solutions. (2013). Workplace Bullying and Harassment Toolkit. Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy.
Policy Updated May 2014, Reviewed 13 April 2015
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