This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Balance the Scales” a promise that every woman and girl should be safe, heard and free to shape their own lives.

Part of the work the NSW Government is doing is through the “From Risk to Respect: Preventing Workplace Sexual Harassment Workshops” focusing on changing attitudes and behaviours in workplaces.

They are the cornerstone of the $1 million in support given to sexual harassment prevention in New South Wales workplaces under the state’s first dedicated Primary Prevention Strategy.

Developed by experts in gendered violence prevention and the SafeWork NSW Respect at Work Taskforce, the one-day, face-to-face workshops are open to business owners and leaders from all industries, regardless of their companies’ size.

The workshops will help participants explore:

• Why sexual harassment happens and what drives gender-based harm in workplaces
• How to identify and manage the risks
• Practical actions for employers to meet their work health and safety obligations
• How leaders can transform workplace culture and safety.

Under NSW work health and safety laws, businesses are required to manage the risk of psychosocial hazards such as sexual harassment, including prevention and effective avenues for workers to report work health and safety issues.

Workshops will be held across metropolitan and regional NSW including Gosford, Campbelltown, Newcastle, Wollongong, Tweed Heads, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, Richmond, Orange, Maitland, Liverpool, Dubbo and Albury.

Workplace sexual harassment occurs in every industry, with 1 in 3 Australians having been harassed at work, according to the Australian Human Rights Commission Respect@Work National Inquiry Report.

The most common types of workplace sexual harassment include sexually suggestive comments or jokes (27 per cent), intrusive questions about a person’s private life or physical appearance (23 per cent) and unwelcome physical contact (19 per cent).

The funding for these workshops forms part of the NSW Government’s $38 million implementation of our Primary Prevention Strategy – Pathways to Prevention. Workplaces are a priority under the strategy as they have significant reach across the community and can drive a culture of equality and respect.

In an Australian first, the Minns Labor Government last year mandated all hospitality staff and liquor licence holders receive specialised sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention training, to help improve workplace safety for hospitality staff across NSW.

Details on how to register and more information on obligations to address workplace sexual harassment are available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/respect-at-work/from-risk-to-respect-workshops.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work.

“These workshops will equip businesses with the knowledge and tools to prevent sexual harassment and build a culture of safety in the workplace.

“Our government has invested $127.7M into SafeWork NSW, which includes 51 new inspectors, 20 of which are psychosocial-focused inspectors to improve workplace mental health and safety, and compliance. We are also establishing the dedicated Psychosocial Advisory Service to provide information and support to businesses and workers.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“Sexual harassment in workplaces unfortunately happens too often and is utterly unacceptable.

“Everyone deserves to be respected and feel safe in their workplace.

“The Minns Government is continuing to work hard to build a safer New South Wales for everyone.

“We are taking a whole-of-community approach and working to change attitudes and behaviours that lead to gendered violence to stop the violence before it starts.

“These workshops are a significant step in raising awareness and educating leaders and organisations on their responsibilities in preventing sexual harassment, as well as addressing the cultural and attitudinal challenges that give rise to gendered violence in workplaces.”

NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin said:

“Everyone has a right to a safe and respectful workplace. Yet too many women in NSW experience sexual harassment in their place of work.

“It’s vital that employers understand they have a duty to operate safe working environments, free of sexual harassment or violence, and that they have the practical skills and knowledge required to fulfil their duty.

“These workshops will enable business leaders to learn practical steps to improve the safety of their workplaces, particularly for women. The workshops will also address the unique role business leaders play in shaping the culture of their organisations, and the positive impact this can have on the broader community. I encourage business leaders to register for these workshops and take this opportunity to improve the safety of working women across the state.”

SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said:

“Sexual harassment and gender-based violence is unacceptable in any workplace. It can cause both physical and psychological harm to workers and exposes businesses to legal, financial and reputational risks.

“SafeWork NSW expects business to be aware of their work health and safety obligations to prevent sexual harassment.

“These workshops will help businesses understand the causes of gender-based harms, and how taking a work health and safety approach helps prevent workplace sexual harassment.

“I encourage all businesses to register their interest to attend these important workshops, which provide practical steps to build safer and more respectful workplaces.”