Description
All employers have a responsibility to make sure that their employees, and people who apply for a job with them, are treated fairly.
This responsibility is set out in federal and state anti-discrimination laws, as well as the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Taken together, they make certain types of workplace behaviour against the law.
As an employer you need to prevent discrimination, harassment or bullying from occurring in the workplace.
Everyone has the right to work in an environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence.
Employers need to be aware of their responsibilities to ensure that the working environment or workplace culture is not sexually or racially hostile. Employers should develop and implement targeted practices to address inappropriate workplace behaviour and deal effectively with any complaints.
Employers should also be proactive in addressing hostile behaviour that may be embedded in the workplace culture. Examples of a potentially hostile working environment are where racially or sexually crude conversations, innuendo or offensive jokes are part of the accepted culture. An employee can complain about such conduct as harassment even if the conduct in question was not specifically targeted at him or her.
Under occupational health and safety legislation, employers and employees are required to comply with any measures that promote health and safety in the workplace. Because of this duty, employers need to eliminate or reduce the risks to employees’ health and safety caused by workplace bullying
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