Do you understand the ramification to your Business? Does your Business comply with the new Code of Practice?
We all know that Hospitality workers are the heart and soul of our businesses, and all workers have a right to be physically and psychologically safe at work. This can be difficult in particular when dealing with the general public. Workplace sexual harassment causes long-term health effects for workers as well as impacting their family and co-workers.
Businesses are required to prevent harm to workers from sexual harassment and this includes making sure that everyone in the workplace understands what they can do to keep workers safe.
Code of Practice - Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work: Click Here
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is prohibited under the federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and includes any:
- unwelcome sexual advance
- unwelcome requests for sexual favours, or
- other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that would offend, humiliate, or intimidate someone.
Sexual harassment can be a single event or repeated and can consist of:
- unwelcome touching, hugging, cornering or kissing
- inappropriate staring or leering
- suggestive comments or jokes
- using suggestive or sexualised nickname for co-workers (or clients towards a worker)
- sexually explicit pictures, posters or gifts
- circulating sexually explicit material
- persistent unwanted invitations to go out on dates
- requests or pressure for sex
- intrusive questions or comments about a person's private life or body
- unnecessary familiarity, such as deliberatively brushing up against a person
- insults or taunts based on sex
- sexual gestures or indecent exposure
- following, watching or loitering nearby physical contact
- sexually explicit or indecent physical contact
- sexually explicit or indecent mails, phone calls, text messages or online transactions
- repeated or inappropriate advances online
- threatening to share intimate images or film without consent
- actual or attempted rape or sexual assault
Resources available:
FlourishDx have an upcoming webinar on "positive duty on sexual harassment prevention" that you as the employer might be interested in - details are listed here.
- Resources to help prevent and manage OVA | EML
- Front of house WHS OVA Poster | EML
- Protecting workers in Hospitality | EML
- Occupational Violence and Aggression | EML
- Supporting our customers to address OVA in the workplace | EML
- Occupational Violence and Aggression Research Update | EML
- Pro-Com Consulting - Tailored Onsite OVA Training | EML
- Act today to create safer workplaces | EML
- Check Inn Mental Health & Wellbeing in Hospitality | EML
- Recovery after Trauma Guides | EML
Link: Preventing Workplace Violence and Aggression Guide | Safe Work Australia
We're here to help
As always, our people are here to help. For more information on resources and training courses available to all members, or any other questions you are welcome to contact us via your Account Manager or:
E: info@hii.au
T: 02 8251 9069 