Sweeping changes to sexual harassment laws are brought in by Scott Morrison

Sweeping changes to sexual harassment laws which could change the Australian workplace forever and see staffers fired for unwanted compliments – here’s what it means for your office

By Charlie Moore, Political Reporter For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 19:50 EDT, 7 April 2021 | Updated: 19:50 EDT, 7 April 2021

Scott Morrison will move to toughen up sexual harassment laws with a series of changes that will make it easier to fire offenders.

The government will change the workplace laws to catagorise harassment as serious misconduct, meaning an employee can be terminated for offences such as making unwanted sexual advances.

Mr Morrison also wants to include sexual harassment in stop bullying orders which allow employees to request to work different shifts to a bullying boss or colleague.

Attorney-general Michaelia Cash said the new rules will bring clarity for employers.

‘So we are going to ensure they know… that if you want, if sexual harassment is occurring in the workplace and it is proven, you can terminate a person for that.’

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in circumstances where a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would anticipate the possibility that the person harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Sexual harassment can include:

unwelcome touching, hugging, cornering or kissing

inappropriate staring or leering

suggestive comments or jokes

using suggestive or sexualised nicknames for co-workers

sexually explicit pictures, posters or gifts

circulating sexually explicit material

persistent unwanted invitations to go out on dates

requests or pressure for sex

intrusive questions or comments about a person’s private life or body

insults or taunts based on sex

Unnecessary familiarity, such as deliberately brushing up against a person