PCBUs will be required by both anti-discrimination and employment laws to proactively eliminate work-related s-xual harassment and victimisation, under proposed amendments moved in the Federal Senate. Meanwhile, Western Australians have been asked to comment on whether to add a "positive duty" to the State's equal opportunity legislation.
A court has nearly quadrupled the damages awarded to a worker who sustained psychological injuries from being subjected to "lewd and disgusting behaviour" from her manager, and from the prospect of being humiliated and demeaned on a daily basis.
In a case highlighting the potential financial ramifications of workplace harassment and safety incidents, the Federal Court has rejected a bid to recover nearly $700,000 in incapacity payments and medical expenses from an injured worker, who was paid $1.25 million to settle her s-xual harassment and discrimination claims.
A workplace health service provider has failed in its appeal against a ruling that it s-xually harassed a Sydney Water worker by using her picture on a s-xually suggestive WHS poster, with a court finding its "subjective intention" was irrelevant.
The Federal Government today introduced a Bill empowering the Fair Work Commission to issue stop-workplace-s-xual-harassment orders, and better aligning anti-discrimination legislation with the model WHS laws.
Australia's Attorneys-General have agreed to work towards the harmonisation of human rights and anti-discrimination legislation, and progress other recommendations aimed at tackling workplace s-xual harassment and improving safety.
Ill-considered decisions on the COVID-19 vaccination, and on whether it should be mandatory for workers, could result in employers facing costly discrimination, harassment and bullying claims, a leading workplace advisor has warned.
An employer and its workplace health service provider have been ordered to pay a worker $100,000 each, after their use of her picture in a s-xually suggestive workplace health and safety poster led her to suffer a "serious and prolonged psychological injury".
