Peers/Colleagues

Employers can help protect their workplace against harmful sexual behaviour. Implementing an effective sexual harassment prevention programme and making staff aware of the organisation's policies relating to sexual harassment are a couple of things you can do as an employer.

Sexual Harassment can be defined as any sexual behaviour, gesture or comment that is insulting, degrading, offensive, humiliating or malicious. This gesture could be isolated or repetitive, physical or verbal, and significantly affects another person's work performance. 

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• An employer or work colleague making a request, either directly or indirectly, for any form of sexual activity with another employee, with promises of preferential treatment at work or threats of detrimental treatment or dismissal at work
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• An employer or employer's representative using language (written or spoken), visual material or physical behaviour of a sexual nature
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If you believe you're being sexually harassed at work, either by your employer, a work colleague or a client/customer, you can raise the issue with the Human Rights Commission. For more information, visit their website or by phoning 0800 496 877.

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• Absenteeism due to stress, anxiety, fear, panic attacks and poor emotional health
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• More errors at work
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• Reduced performance and productivity 
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• Unhappy and unmotivated staff
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• Increased employee turnover 
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• Costly time spent investigating and dealing with complaints
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• Unhealthy workplace culture and ongoing conflicts
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• Damaged reputation
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• Negative company publicity
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