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Policies

Employers

The type of policies your organisation should put in place will depend on the needs and circumstances of your particular workplace.

Some organisations choose to have a single workplace policy which prohibits discrimination, bullying, and harassment on a range of grounds, including a person’s sex, race, disability, age or sexual orientation. Others may decide there is a need for an additional stand-alone sexual harassment policy.

In addition, organisations may have a separate policy on the appropriate use of electronic communication in the workplace.

If an organisation decides to use a general anti-discrimination policy, it is important that the different types of discrimination and harassment are well-defined and addressed comprehensively. If the policy is too broad or generic it can create confusion among staff and, as a result, not be effective.

A good workplace policy on discrimination and harassment should communicate:

  • a strong statement of the organisation’s attitude to discrimination and harassment
  • a definition of discrimination and harassment
  • a statement that discrimination and harassment on any of the grounds in federal/state anti-discrimination legislation is against the law
  • circumstances where discrimination and harassment can occur
  • a statement that everyone has a responsibility to prevent workplace harassment and discrimination
  • information on how and where to seek help if discrimination or harassment occurs
  • the likely consequences of unlawful discrimination or harassment.