Inquiry to probe sexual harassment in the workplace

THE federal government has backed a year-long inquiry into sexual harassment in the workplace to examine the prevalence and economic impact on victims’ careers and industry.

THE federal government has backed a year-long inquiry into sexual harassment in the workplace.

The $900,000 Australian Human Rights Commission inquiry, $500,000 of which is government funded, will be run by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.

It will examine the prevalence and economic impact of sexual harassment on victims’ careers and industry.

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“We already know that the personal and career consequences of workplace sexual harassment are very significant,” Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer said.

She said the impact on organisations was also high, including “reduced productivity, high staff turnover, absenteeism, compensation claims and early retirement”.

The world-first national inquiry will calculate the cost of harassment to individuals and businesses.

Ms O’Dwyer said sexual harassment pervades Australian workplaces.

Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer said sexual harassment pervades Australian workplaces. Picture: Britta Campion

“More than 20 per cent of people over 15 years old in Australia have been sexually harassed, with 68 per cent of those harassed in the workplace,” she said.

Ms Jenkins said the #MeToo movement had “exposed the true prevalence” of sexual harassment and its harms.

The commission is conducting the fourth national survey into workplace sexual harassment, with results expected in August.

The survey’s findings will be used to identify “the scale and nature of the problem across a range of industry sectors.”

“We will examine the ­current Australian legal ­framework on sexual harassment, including a review of complaints made to state and
territory anti-discrimination agencies,” Ms Jenkins said.

Ms O’Dwyer also credited #MeToo with revealing the extent of harassment.

“International and national coverage of the #MeToo movements and related cases have highlighted the prevalence and detrimental impact of sexual harassment on individuals and organisations,” she said.