Webinar Overview:
How can you ensure compliance with the new ‘positive duty’ obligations around sexual harassment and sex-based harassment?
In response to the continual rise of sexual harassment as a ‘hot topic’ issue in Australian workplaces, and as part of the ongoing response to the Sex Discrimination Commissioners Respect@Work Report, the Federal Government changed the law in late 2022 which imposed a new ‘positive duty’ on all employers. This requires all employers to take reasonable steps to eliminate sexual harassment and other unlawful behaviour from occurring in the workplace.
There is no exemption under this law, no matter the size of the business, if reasonable steps are not taken to eliminate sexual harassment and sex-based harassment in the workplace, the employer could be held liable and face considerable financial and reputational damage to the business.
Some of the recent legislative changes are already in effect, however further changes including new avenues for employees to pursue claims and the Human Rights Commissions powers to enforce the new ‘positive duty’ on employers will take effect from 12 December 2023.
ACCPA has partnered with Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors (ABLA) to support members with undertaking a business health check, identify risk areas and put in place preventative measures that will reduce the risk of sexual harassment and sex-based harassment in your workplace.
Managing Sexual Harassment “Positive Duty” Toolkit
Members will also have the option to purchase a Managing Sexual Harassment ‘Positive duty’ Toolkit, featuring a ‘How-to Guide’ on managing sexual harassment and sex-based harassment ‘positive duty’ in the workplace; seven short instructional videos to guide you through the process; and 15 tools including checklists, templates, processes to follow, draft emails and a policy document to download and use immediately in your business. Read more about the Toolkit here
Your ABLA webinar presenter: Tamsin Lawrence, Senior Associate, ABLA
Tamsin is a highly credentialled employment lawyer with Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors, acting for a broad range of employers across both the public and private sector. She performs a mix of litigious and advisory work in workplace relations and is a regular author and presenter on a range of bargaining, employment, discrimination and work health and safety related topics.
Tamsin was very closely involved in responding on behalf of employers to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces and lead the Chambers’ response to the introduction of the Respect at Work Act including the new prohibition on sex-based harassment in the workplace and role as an associate employer representative member on the newly formed Federal Government Respect@Work Council.
Date: 14 November 2023
Time:
– 1:00pm-2:00pm AEDT
– 12:00pm-1:00pm AEST
– 12:30pm-1:30pm ACDT
– 10:00am -11:00am AWST
Cost: FREE for ACCPA Members
