Home / Employment Law / Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment in the workplace is prohibited under both the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) (AD Act) and the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (SD Act).
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that happens in circumstances where the person either intends to humiliate, offend or intimidate the person being harassed, or the circumstances are such that a reasonable person would have anticipated the possibility that the target would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.
It includes:
- unwelcome touching,
- sexual or suggestive comments,
- requests or demands for sexual favours,
- intrusive questions about a person’s private life or body,
- starring or leering,
- sex based insults or taunts,
- sexually offensive communications, including telephone calls and letters.
Sexual harassment and assault in the workplace can lead to various consequences for victims of the behaviour, including mental and physical injuries and time off from the workplace. Compensation can be sought for victims of sexual harassment at work who have suffered any form of difficulty, hardship, or injury as a result of the sexual harassment.
If you are being sexually harassed in the workplace, Sibley Lawyers can assist with lodging a complaint, either with your employer, or a complaint to the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) or the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).
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