What happened to Respect@Work?
April 29, 2022In March 2020, the much-anticipated Respect@Work Report was released by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), the outcome of an 18-month inquiry into sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. The investigation was led by Kate Jenkins, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner, and her report outlined 55 recommendations for government, business and community sectors to consider in relation to the prevention of, and in responding to, sexual harassment. The Respect@Work Report revealed that sexual harassment in the workplace is pervasive and widespread. A year later – about the time Brittany Higgins made allegations of sexual assault in her employment with the Federal Government – advocates across the country gathered at #March4Justice rallies, calling on the Federal Government to implement all 55 of Ms Jenkins’s recommendations. One month later in April 2021, the Federal Government responded with its ‘Roadmap for Respect’ committing to implement most, but not all, of the 55 recommendations. On 2 September 2021, the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Act 2021 (Respect@Work Act) was enacted...