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Managing people

How to curb sexual harassment in the workplace

An Australian Human Rights Commission survey found 72% of Australians have been sexually harassed at some point in their lives and less than one in five people make a formal report or complaint about workplace sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment in the workplace can range from offensive sexual jokes, inappropriate touching to sending sexually offensive material. It can have severe consequences for many in the workplace. The victim may need to muster the courage to speak out, could face the possibility of going through legal proceedings and potentially risk career damage if the complaint is mishandled. For the organisation, there are financial implications with time and resources directed to legal avenues and negative publicity in the marketplace. Should the news of an incident be circulated, employees who have worked with the victim and accused may lose morale and become less productive.

With the rise of remote working, sexual harassment may occur with inappropriate comments and behaviours shifting to online platforms. Jokes and innuendo via communication tools may be taken too far which could lead to the possibility of offending a number of employees in a single incident.