Quick Reference Guide Workplace Conduct: Bullying and Harassment (Sexual Harassment Update) 30/08/2023 1 Workplace Conduct: Bullying and Harassment (Sexual Harassment Update) What is Bullying? Bullying is repeated, unreasonable behaviour from a person or group of people that creates a risk to your health and safety. Examples of bullying may include: • aggressive and intimidating conduct • practical jokes or initiation rituals (including tests that humiliate a person) • withholding information that is vital for effective work performance, and • denying access to information, supervision, consultation, or resources to the detriment of the worker What is Harassment? Harassment is behaviour displayed towards another person that is unwanted, offensive, intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or threatening. It includes treating a person less favourably based on sex, pregnancy, ethnicity, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or carer’s responsibilities. This behaviour is prohibited by law. Even a one-off incident can constitute harassment. Examples of bullying may also include: • Verbal abuse, such as insulting jokes about particular racial groups • Physical abuse - pushing or hitting • Visual or email - displaying racially offensive posters or screensavers • Derogatory comments or taunts in text messages, internet chat rooms or social media platforms What is Sexual Harassment? Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious issue and is defined as unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour, which makes a person feel offended, humiliated, or intimidated. This behaviour is prohibited by law. Examples of bullying may also include: • unwelcome touching, hugging, cornering, or kissing • sexually suggestive comments, jokes or sexualised nicknames • sexual insults or taunts based on sex, or sexual gestures • intrusive questions or comments about a person’s private life or body • displaying material of a sexual nature in the workplace • communicating sexually explicit material in person or through phone calls, online interaction, email, social media, or text messages. • Sexual assault
Quick Reference Guide Workplace Conduct: Bullying and Harassment (Sexual Harassment Update) 30/08/2023 2 DISCLAIMER: Except where otherwise stated, scenarios depicted in this course are fictional and any resemblance to any person or event is purely coincidental. The information in this course has been prepared as general information only. It is not intended to provide legal, industrial or other specialist advice and should not be relied upon as such. All advice and information are professionally sourced and provided in good faith and, while all care has been taken, no legal liability or responsibility is accepted for any possible error. For direction concerning your particular circumstances, independent advice should be sought. Copyright 2023. The contents of these Learning Resources remain the property of Altura Learning. They are for the exclusive use of current members of Altura Learning; their use, distribution, and storage are subject to the terms and conditions laid out in Membership Agreements. Altura Learning and Engage. Inform. Inspire are registered trademarks of Altura Learning.