By Jack de Flamingh and Erin Kiley -
Snapshot
- The Australian Human Rights Commission has released its 2018 survey into workplace sexual harassment.
- The report suggests the incidence of sexual harassment in the workplace has increased.
- A nation-wide inquiry into workplace sexual harassment commenced in June this year and is accepting submissions up until 31 January 2019.
On the heels of the #MeToo movement, the Australian Human Rights Commission (‘AHRC’) commenced a 12-month national inquiry into sexual harassment in the workplace. The world-first inquiry will be accepting submissions until 31 January 2019 and consultations will continue into 2019 as well. The inquiry is intended to:
- examine the causes of workplace sexual harassment;
- review existing preventative and responsive measures; and
- make recommendations to address the problem of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces.
Prior to the launch of the national inquiry, the AHRC released the results of its fourth national survey on sexual harassment in the workplace: Everyone’s business: Fourth national survey on sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. The results of this survey both highlight the need for the inquiry and the need for employers to address systematic issues directed at preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.