Victorians will be better protected from sexual harassment in workplaces, such as those in Hume and Whittlesea, under reforms that will change the way employers must deal with bad behaviour.
The recommendations from the Ministerial Taskforce on Workplace Sexual Harassment have prompted the state government to begin work to restrict the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for workplace sexual harassment cases in Victoria.
NDAs are often misused to silence victim-survivors, protect employer reputations, avoid full liability and hide serial offending.
The government will undergo close consultation with victim-survivors, unions, business and the legal profession to develop the appropriate model and scope of the restriction before introducing legislation.
The Government also accepted the recommendation to treat sexual harassment as an occupational health and safety issue and will help WorkSafe build its capacity to tackle sexual harassment with almost $7 million over three years in the Victorian Budget 2022/23.
This will allow WorkSafe to expand its WorkWell program and dedicate part of it to preventing workplace sexual harassment.
The WorkWell program provides employers with access to resources and funding opportunities to prevent mental injury and promote safe and mentally healthy workplaces.
The government’s plan to combat sexual harassment in Victorian workplaces also includes introducing de-identified employer reporting to WorkSafe on workplace sexual harassment, as part of proposed new psychological health regulations.
The report and the Government’s response can be found at www.vic.gov.au/ministerial-taskforce-
workplace-sexual-harassment.
