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Harassment can be against the law when a person is treated less favourably on the basis of certain personal characteristics, such as race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, breastfeeding, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status. Some limited exemptions and exceptions apply. Harassment can include behaviour such as: telling insulting jokes about particular racial…

Sexual harassment is any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour where a reasonable person would have anticipated the possibility that the person harassed would feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. It has nothing to do with mutual attraction or consensual behaviour. Examples of sexual harassment include: staring, leering or unwelcome touching suggestive comments or jokes unwanted…

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…

An employer can be liable for acts of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, that occur in the workplace or in connection with a person’s employment. This is called ‘vicarious liability’. It means that employers can be liable for acts by their employees that occur at work-related events, such as conferences, training workshops, business trips and work-related social…

It is common for relationships and attractions to develop in the workplace. As an employer, it is important to ensure that these circumstances do not lead to incidents of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour where a reasonable person would have anticipated the possibility that the person harassed would feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. It…

Employers can be held legally responsible for acts of discrimination or harassment that occur in the workplace or in connection with a person’s employment. This is known as ‘vicarious liability.’ For example, employers can be held vicariously liable for discrimination and harassment that occurs at: employer-sponsored events, such as seminars, conferences and training workshops work-related…

Social media postings can be against the law if they discriminate against, harass, bully or racially vilify a person. Discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably than another person because of a particular attribute they have. Harassment or bullying can amount to discrimination in some circumstances. Inappropriate posts, comments or content shared on social media can…

Training for both employers and employees is a key aspect of preventing discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Organisations and employers can undertake training to better understand how they can prevent discrimination and harassment in their workplace. They can also provide training for staff on their rights and responsibilities regarding discrimination and harassment in the…

A complaint of discrimination or harassment can be made to the Australian Human Rights Commission about an issue covered by federal anti-discrimination law. Under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act, the Commission can also investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination, harassment and bullying in employment based on a person’s criminal record, trade union activity, political…

Learn about the purpose, roles, and responsibilities of a contact officer in the workplace.