Proactive Workplace Transformation Starts Today
Businesses must take proactive steps to eliminate sexual harassment under a new ‘positive duty’ requirement in the Sex Discrimination Act.
Eliminate sexual harassment & foster a culture of respect
In the wake of new positive duty requirements in the Sex Discrimination Act, the mandate is clear: businesses must take proactive steps to eliminate sexual harassment. It's not just about responding to incidents but preventing them. From December 12, 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission will enforce compliance rigorously. Employers can now be liable for failing to prevent sexual harassment — without the need for a complaint to be lodged with the Commission.
A policy, one-off Respect at Work training, and responding to reports of workplace sexual harassment will not satisfy the new positive duty compliance obligations. Is your organisation ready to meet its responsibilities and foster workplace psychological safety?
Did you know?
41% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
Industries with higher male dominance are at increased psychosocial risk.
37% of workers believe their organisation should do more to prevent workplace sexual harassment.
Diverse and inclusive environments are less prone to such incidents.
The cost
With historically low unemployment rates, the fight for talent has never been greater. A respectful workplace culture is a key factor that attracts and retains top talent and contributes to an organisation’s reputation as an attractive place to work.
In 2018/2019, workplace sexual harassment cost the Australian economy $3.5 billion (Deloitte Access Economics).
A policy, one-off staff training, and simply responding to complaints will not meet the requirements of the positive duty compliance obligations now enforceable by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Your ally in compliance and culture
As national leaders in Respect@Work training and positive duty compliance support, we provide a comprehensive suite of services that improve workplace culture and business performance. These include:
Board and Executive Leadership Briefings: Our briefings combine legal, policy and behaviour change expertise, addressing not only section 47C of the Sex Discrimination Act but also the drivers, risk factors and impacts of misconduct. A legal-only approach is not enough.
Gap Analysis: A full culture review of your organisation’s current state versus best practice in workplace psychological safety, respect, and inclusion. We provide a tailored implementation roadmap with concrete steps in governance, policies, and education.
Monitoring & Evaluation: Tools and frameworks to track outcomes and adapt strategies for long-term improvement.
Expert-led Education: Engaging, practical Respect@Work delivered by subject matter experts to embed respectful, inclusive behaviours across your organisation.
Why partner with us?
We support organisations to drive sustainable change by understanding your unique challenges and applying our deep expertise with a tailored approach.
Our team led the development of the Australian Human Rights Commission's positive duty framework, the guidance material and established the monitoring and enforcement team. We bring technical expertise with unique perspectives that represent lived intersectional diversity and we bring that approach to our consultancy. Our diverse team of specialists will work with you to identify and implement evidence-based strategies that will ensure that you meet your legislative obligations and enhance your workplace culture. From governance and policy through to a response framework and ongoing monitoring and measurement, we will give you the confidence to ensure your organisation is positive response is ready.
Pioneers of change: We've shaped the positive duty from its conception to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s compliance framework and guidance material.
Culture reform specialists: Our portfolio includes high-profile organisational transformations across various sectors.
Multidisciplinary excellence: We have an accomplished team of experts across legal, policy, psychology and research.
Intersectionality experts: We understand the nuances of diverse workplaces and offer specialised advice to meet the needs of all employees.
Our approach
We understand that no two businesses are the same and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to prevention. We listen deeply and walk alongside our clients to develop a nuanced, end-to-end framework to foster safe, respectful and inclusive cultures that is evidence-based and tailored for their workforce.
Our approach to prevention and response is based on the Australian Human Rights Commission’s framework, that we helped create, for meeting positive duty obligations through 7 standards and 4 guiding principles.
01. Leadership.
Leadership capability building
Briefings to executives and boards on leadership responsibilities
02. Culture.
Facilitating one on one interviews and focus groups with workers
Review of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies
Undertake gender pay gap audits
Advising on strategies to increase psychological safety and foster a culture where inappropriate behaviours are called out
03. Knowledge.
Developing respectful workplace behaviour policies
Delivering tailored education to all levels of the workforce
Advising on how to take an intersectional approach to eliminating harmful workplace behaviours
04. Risk Assessment.
Undertaking gap analysis of existing systems, processes and policies
Strategic guidance on taking a risk-based approach to prevention and response
Assisting to assess psychosocial risks and advising on implementation of effective control measures
05. Support.
Advising on appropriate support to workers before, during and after an incident of harmful behaviour that is person-centred and trauma-informed
06. Reporting & response.
Auditing reporting and response mechanisms and alignment with leading practice
Conducting independent workplace investigations into sexual harassment and sex discrimination
07. Monitoring, evaluation & transparency.
Designing monitoring and evaluation frameworks to foster continuous learning and improvement
Get in touch
Reach out and start the conversation, we are here to guide and support you every step of the way sarah@elevateconsultingpartners.com.au