Australian Human Rights Commission to crack down on employers who fail to actively prevent workplace sexual harassment

New enforcement powers granted after ‘positive duty’ reform requiring employers to tackle discrimination and harassment

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Employers will be held legally responsible for failing to proactively take steps to prevent sexual harassment at work under a change that Australia’s sex discrimination commissioner, Dr Anna Cody, hopes shifts the burden of progress in workplaces.

The Human Rights Commission will be handed enforcement powers from Tuesday after the “positive duty” reform was introduced in 2022 as part of the Respect@Work legislation.