When WGEA (Workplace Gender Equality Agency) published the Gender Pay Gap results on 27 February, results displayed only 22% of CEOs are women, and 37% are in key management positions. Women make up 51% of the total workforce.
One WGEA statistic that was less reported, is that 11% of Australian Businesses with over 100 employees do not provide training on the prevention of sexual harassment, harassment on the grounds of sex or discrimination to all managers.
A recent report released by Our Watch has shed light on concerning statistics surrounding workplace sexual harassment. Shockingly, the report reveals that within the past 12 months, one in four women have experienced sexual harassment in their workplace, with one in three encountering such incidents within the last five years. These distressing findings underscore the urgent need for robust measures to address and prevent sexual violence in professional environments.
In 2022 the Australian Government accepted all 55 recommendations from the Australian Human Rights Commission Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces (2020) Report and in recognition of the widespread nature of the issue across all workplaces, the Australian Government introduced legislation aimed at the prevention of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces.
The legislative changes mean Australian employers have a positive duty and obligation to prevent sexual harassment in their organisation.
“Employers need to be acting now to be compliant with positive duty. The time is up. Addressing workplace sexual harassment requires more than just surface-level solutions—it necessitates fundamental shifts in organisational culture, policies, and practices.”
CEO of YWCA Canberra, Frances Crimmins stated.
The release of 4,987 employer pay gap reports on February 27, 2024, has brought to light significant non-compliance with positive duty legislation. Representing an alarming 11% of employers, this substantial number underscores a concerning trend of failure to adhere to legal positive duty obligations. This revelation highlights the imperative for increased accountability and enforcement measures to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
YWCA Canberra in conjunction with organisational change experts has developed Work Respect, an online training program to help employers implement holistic changes within their organisation and comply with positive duty.
YWCA Canberra CEO, Frances Crimmins is available to discuss the widespread nature of workplace sexual harassment and how the Work Respect program can benefit all Australian workplaces before the WGEA response to new questions on workplace sexual harassment prevention efforts effective April 1.
Contact: Eleanor Sander O’Hearn
Email: eleanor.sanderohearn@ywca-canberra.org.au
Phone: 0475240101