The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) earlier this week announced they will launch an independent national inquiry into sexual harassment in the workplace.
In making the announcement, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins said ‘The #MeToo movement has exposed the true prevalence of the problem and the harm it causes to individuals, workplaces and society.’
Federal Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer advised that among many things the inquiry will consider the drivers of sexual harassment and provide practical recommendations.
SIA CEO, David Clarke welcomed the inquiry. ‘We have in recent months called for a broader national conversation about workplace culture, and its impact on bullying, harassment and abuse in the workplace. This announcement by the AHRC is a welcome expression of the strength of the emerging conversation.’
‘Harassment and abuse in the workplace is a health and safety issue. The health impacts of bullying, harassment and abuse in the workplace can be significant, and effects the quality of life and wellbeing of workers and their ability to carry out their roles. The many thousands of people working in professional health and safety roles within Australian companies have the task of building work culture that is healthy and safe. They need all the help they can get to build that culture and tackle the issues, and this inquiry will carry us one step further down the road to safer and healthier work environments’ he said.
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