Sexual Harassment: Changing Workplace Culture

Respect@Work Bill - Positive legal duty placed on employers

There are sweeping changes underway in the workplace with the passing of the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022 (the Bill) and amendment to section 47C of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (the 'Amendment') through Federal Parliament at the end of 2022.

The Amendment commenced on 13 December 2022 and imposes a positive legal duty on employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate sex discrimination, including sexual harassment in the workplace. In order to satisfy the duty it is recommended employers adopt a number of measures including regular training and education. 

QLS has developed an Australian-first legal industry educational workshop which helps participants to understand inappropriate conduct, the role of bystanders, workplace culture and the reporting and management of complaints. The workshop helps participants identify what appropriate conduct is and aids in changing behaviours, aiming to foster a positive workplace culture throughout Australia's legal profession. 

In-House workshop

The workshop features recorded scenes set in the workplace, using profession actors to aid in learning and understanding of this serious issue. Designed to challenge what each of us can do to reduce the harm to individuals, organisations and the profession as a result of sexual harassment.

  • A 60 minute, 1 CPD point workshop
  • Suitable for all staff working in a legal environment
  • Highly interactive
  • Delivered by specialist senior trained facilitators 
  • Run in-house at your firm for groups of up to 40 for your convenience (subject to facilitators availability)

Learning Objectives

At the completion of the workshop participants will have the knowledge and understanding of substantive content dealing with:

  • what constitutes sexual harassment; 
  • the statistics and surveys providing data on the incidence, reporting rates and the implications for individuals and the legal profession of sexual harassment; 
  • how individuals behaviours impact workplace culture; 
  • the predominant traits and culture in legal workplaces that may act as catalysts for harassment and bullying behaviours; 
  • the role of bystanders in changing culture and the practical application of using the 5Ds in responding as an Active Bystander; 
  • the role of leadership in modelling positive behaviour in legal workplaces; 
  • the importance of appropriate sexual harassment and bullying policies and training processes in legal workplaces; 
  • the options and appropriate responses to manage an incident experienced or observed; and 
  • the options available for further and ongoing support for those dealing with incidents of sexual harassment or bullying.

Price

$500.56 for QLS members and $589.00 for non-members (maximum 40 per session) plus agreed travel costs.

Contact: QLSLPD@qls.com.au

Resources

Workplace Bullying, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Policy 

Grievance Policy

If you have any issues with downloading the resources please contact QLSLPD@qls.com.au.

Register your interest in the workshop

Please provide any further information around your preferred date/s and time/s.