The State Government is taking a leading role in creating safer, more inclusive and more respectful workplaces as it continues to progress the recommendations of the Respect@Work Report.
The Implementing Respect@Work: WA State Government Progress Report 2022 (the Respect@Work Report), released today, highlights the progress made by the State Government in implementing the relevant recommendations of the Respect@Work Report, handed down by the Australian Human Rights Commission National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces in 2020.
The Respect@Work Report outlined 55 recommendations addressed to all levels of government, industry, business and the community to prevent and respond to sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. Of the 55 recommendations, 18 apply to State and Territory Governments.
In 2021, the State Government committed to implementing all 18 recommendations. Actions taken to implement recommendations include:
- providing the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission the power to issue a stop sexual harassment order, consistent with the 2020 Respect@Work Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report;
- increased legal services, advice, advocacy and education resources for people experiencing workplace sexual harassment;
- implementation of Stronger Together: WA's Plan for Gender Equality;
- implementation of Path to Safety: Western Australia's strategy to reduce family and domestic violence 2020-2030;
- development of Western Australia's Sexual Violence Prevention Strategy;
- delivery and expansion of the Respectful Relationships School Support program;
- review of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA); and
- establishment of the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) program to enhance the State's response to sexual harassment and assault in the mining industry.
This important work contributes to the broader commitment of government through the implementation of Stronger Together: WA's Plan for Gender Equality to ensure that women and girls are safe and free from violence, discrimination and harassment in their homes, workplaces and in the community.
The Respect@Work Progress Report 2022 has been released during the State Government's annual 16 Days in WA - Stop Violence Against Women campaign. This initiative underscores the importance of community-led action to stop violence against women, including family, domestic and sexual violence, from happening in the first place.
Read more about the Implementing Respect@Work Progress Report here
As stated by Women's Interests Minister Simone McGurk:
"The State Government is strongly committed to providing safe and inclusive workplaces not only for public sector employees, but for all workers across WA regardless of industry or size.
"Workplace sexual harassment is not a women's issue, it a societal issue which all organisations, employers and individuals have a responsibility to address.
"We all have a role to play to ensure safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces for all."
