ARTICLE · 11 JUNE 2022

Sexual harassment training essential in workplace today

People + Culture Strategies

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Need for employee training to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace and effective systems to deal with complaints.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Kirryn West James

Matthew McKeon

One of the objectives of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) (the "Act") is to eliminate sexual harassment. A recent decision of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ("VCAT") serves as a reminder to employers of the importance of employee training to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace and the need for effective systems to deal with complaints.

Background

An employee, Ms Oliver, alleged that over the course of almost 11 months her co-worker, Mr Catalfamo, engaged in conduct that constituted sexual harassment at the beauty salon where they both worked. Such conduct included suggestive and inappropriate comments, enquiries, jokes, requests and touching. There was also an incident of sexual assault.

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