In recent years, the fight against sexual harassment in the workplace has gained significant traction, driven by movements like #MeToo and growing awareness of the pervasive nature of the issue. The public is increasingly calling for stronger protections and preventative measures to ensure they can work free from harassment. In response to this, the UK
sexual harassment
New legislation on Sexual Harassment receives Royal Assent
The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill (the Bill) received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023, becoming the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 (the Act). The Act will come into force in October 2024, and will extend to England, Wales and Scotland.
The Act amends provisions in…
D.C. Circuit Draws Line Between Protected Labor Activities and Discipline-Worthy Employee Misconduct
Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (Act) gives employees the right to form unions, bargain collectively and to “engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of … mutual aid or protection”. Speaking out about conditions of employment on behalf of a group of employees would fall within this protection. And, section 8…
Employer Feedback Wanted: New York To Update its Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy
The State of New York is looking to strengthen its existing laws concerning the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace. To do so, the Department of Labor (DOL) is calling on New Yorkers to submit their feedback, which may be provided online before September 20, 2022.
Currently, employers in New York are required to…
Government introduces legislative changes following the Respect@Work report
On 24 June 2021, the Federal Government introduced the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendments Bill 2021 (Cth) (Bill) into the Senate. The Bill amends both the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (SDA) and the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FWA) in response to the Respect@Work…
WHS regulators issue guides and codes of practice on psychological health and managing sexual harassment claims
Earlier this year, the Respect@Work – National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces, conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission made key recommendations addressing psychological health and sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. Specifically the inquiry recommended:
- the model WHS Regulations should be amended to address psychological health by identifying and appropriately controlling work-related
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On allegations of sexual harassment made on social media in Quebec: what employers need to know
Over the last few weeks, several cases of sexual harassment allegations have been posted both openly and anonymously on social media in Quebec.
One issue that will surface for employers is how these public allegations should be handled when the actions, comments or gestures stem from one of their own employees.
First, provincially regulated employers…
Victoria’s new minimum standards for compliance with the positive duty of employers to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace
In August 2020, the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission released its new and updated guideline for complying with the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) (Equal Opportunity Act): Preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment (Guideline).
Australian Human Rights Commission – Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces
The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has recently released its ‘Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces’ report (Report) in response to the decision in June 2018 by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, and the then Minister for Women, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer, to launch the independent national inquiry into sexual harassment in Australian workplaces (Inquiry).
France: Le harcèlement sexuel susceptible d’être exclu en cas d’attitude ambigüe de la victime
Le harcèlement sexuel est défini, dans le Code du travail, par « des propos ou comportements à connotation sexuelle répétés qui soit portent atteinte à [la] dignité [du salarié] en raison de leur caractère dégradant ou humiliant, soit créent à son encontre une situation intimidante, hostile ou offensante ».
Le Code du travail prévoit…