Discrimination and Harassment

November 7, 2023

EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
New enforcement powers for sexual harassment

In December 2022, through the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022 (Cth), a new positive duty was placed on employers and other persons conducting a business or undertaking (‘PCBU’s’) to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate sex related discrimination and harassment behaviours in the workplace. The Federal Government’s Respect@Work […]

September 20, 2023

The Giggle Ball is back!

Join us for a fun night of comedy and laughter for a great cause with comedians Peter Helliar and Mel Buttle, Dicko as MC and music by the fabulous Baker Boys Band. GIGGLE BALL’S CHOSEN CHARITY This year’s Giggle Ball is raising money for endED, a charity supporting those living with eating disorders whilst […]

March 31, 2023

EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Sexual harassment

Discrimination and Harassment, Policies and Procedures

On 6 March 2023, amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (‘FW Act’) commenced, and which empower the Fair Work Commission to deal with sexual harassment disputes through broader powers than the pre-existing ‘stop sexual harassment’ order jurisdiction provided for. These changes follow the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation (Respect at Work) Act 2022 […]

December 22, 2022

EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Changes coming in 2023 to Employment Law & Workplace Relations

Discrimination and Harassment, Employment Contracts, Enterprise Agreements, Uncategorized

Industrial Relations reform was a dominant political battleground between the major parties, and a clear focus for the Albanese Federal Government throughout 2022. The Federal Government has now successfully passed arguably the most significant reforms to the Fair Work Act since its introduction some 13 years ago. Some amendments will have immediate impacts for employers, […]

September 29, 2022

ARTICLE
Respect@Work Bill

Discrimination and Harassment

The Respect@Work Bill is set to create duty on employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate sexual harassment, discrimination and sex-based harassment The Federal Government has taken the first step in delivering on its election promise to implement the remaining recommendations from the Respect@Work report. The most significant change from the Bill introduced […]

May 4, 2022

EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Employer vicariously liable for sexual harassment and assault ordered to pay $150k

Discrimination and Harassment

This month we will look at a recent decision of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘Tribunal’), where an employer who failed to prevent the sexual harassment and assault of a female employee was ordered to pay $150,000 in general damages. Background The 27-year-old Beauty Therapist (‘employee’) commenced part-time employment at the salon, Man Oh […]

October 26, 2021

New Respect@Work legislation passed

Sex discrimination and sexual harassment is currently an area of focus in Australia, and there have been recent changes to the law in Australia, which employers should be aware of. In this video, Hamish Procter from Aitken Legal touches on the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Bill 2021 (Cth) which passed […]

September 30, 2021

EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Respect@Work legislation gets the green light

Discrimination and Harassment

In this Employment Update we will discuss the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Act 2021 (Cth) that commenced operation on 10 September 2021. We will outline the reasons behind the changes and what they mean for employers. Background In 2018, the Australian Human Rights Commission conducted a National Inquiry into Sexual […]

August 13, 2021

ALERT!
Employee “tormented” by sexual harassment at work has compensation increased by $100k

Discrimination and Harassment, Workplace Bullying

Employers need to stamp out inappropriate conduct in the workplace warns specialist Employment Law firm, Aitken Legal. This comes as a former employee of a Brisbane laundromat had compensation increased on appeal to the Industrial Court of Queensland, to $28.702.60 for economic loss and $130,000 for general and aggravated damages. The increased compensation is $100,000 […]

February 26, 2021

EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Preventing workplace sexual harassment

Discrimination and Harassment

In this Employment Update we consider the National guidance material on Preventing Workplace Sexual Harassment (‘the Guide’) recently released by Safe Work Australia. We will also reflect on the Australian Human Rights Commission’s (‘AHRC’) most recent survey on sexual harassment in Australia, Everyone’s business: Fourth national survey on sexual harassment in Australian workplaces (the 2018 […]

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