Employers have a legal responsibility to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent harassment and discrimination occurring in the workplace. Employers may also be held ‘vicariously liable’ for the actions of their partners, colleagues, employees, agents or contract workers. Employers must also ensure that people who make a complaint, or are involved in a complaint in any way, are not victimised or treated less favourably as a result. For an employer to avoid liability for workplace harassment, discrimination or other unlawful behaviour, they need to be able to demonstrate they took ‘all reasonable steps’. Preventing or effectively managing unlawful behaviour has other benefits.
The ASX Corporate Governance Council has recently introduced a requirement for Australian listed companies to adopt and disclose a diversity policy and measurable objectives relating to gender or explain why they have not done so.
Visit the following pages for more information on meeting your legal and other obligations as an employer:
- Business case
- Unlawful workplace behaviour
- Legislation and other compliance
- Leading practice principles
- Leading practice case studies
- Benchmarks
- Research
- Case law
- How DCA can assist.
To view these resources, select the area you are interested in from the left hand column. To see all members-only pages, you will need to be logged in as a member.
