New report finds 'stubbornly high' rates of workplace sexual harassment despite reforms
One in three employees in Australia has experienced sexual harassment in the past five years, according to a new analysis, despite recent legislative reforms to curb these risks in the country.
The analysis from Burke Mangan Lawyers cited data from the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), Fair Work Commission (FWC), and recent court decisions to report that sexual harassment remains prevalent in Australian workplaces.
It found that 33% of employees have experienced workplace sexual harassment between 2018 and 2022, higher than the 21% recorded in 2012.
Lyndon Burke, founding partner at Burke Mangan Lawyers, said the numbers remain "stubbornly high" despite over a decade of reform and awareness.
"It's clear that policy on paper hasn't translated yet into safer workplaces," Burke said in a statement.
The Australian government has been taking steps to address sexual harassment in workplaces, including a Positive Duty that requires employers to take "reasonable" steps to eliminate harassment in their workplace.
The FWC is also able to issue Stop Sexual Harassment Orders (SSHO), while the Workplace Gender Equality Agency has begun requiring employers to report on prevention and response mechanisms.
The analysis, however, noted that while 99% of employers have policies in place to eliminate harassment, only 55% of boards engage meaningfully with these.
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