New code of practice to eliminate gender-based harassment

Safe Work Australia has published a model code of practice, Sexual and gender-based harassment, to provide practical guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) on how to eliminate or reduce the risk of sexual and gender-based harassment at work.

PCBUs must take a proactive and preventive approach to sexual and gender-based harassment, whether it comes from colleagues, customers or the public, online or in person. Safe Work Australia advises PCBUs to identify and assess the risks, eliminate or minimise them so far as is reasonably practicable and review their control measures to ensure they are working as planned.

Managing the risks may include changing the layout of the workplace and redesigning the work or the way it is carried out — training and policies alone are not effective or reliable controls. PCBUs are advised to consult their workers on the risks of sexual and gender-based harassment as well as other psychosocial hazards.

The model code should be read alongside the code of practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work. Sexual and gender-based harassment often occurs with other psychosocial hazards and PCBUs are advised to consider both hazards when managing risks to the health and safety of workers and others. To read the model code of practice: Sexual and gender-based harassment, click here.

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