What Are the Consequences of Ignoring Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

What are the consequences of ignoring sexual harassment in the workplace? They are usually described as legal risk, and that is the narrowest part of the answer.

There is the discrimination exposure, including vicarious liability for what workers do in connection with their employment. There is a separate work health and safety dimension as well, since sexual harassment is treated as a psychosocial hazard and duty holders are required to manage it.

Then there is everything that never appears in a legal file. The person leaves, and often so do the people who watched nothing happen. Reporting stops, because the outcome told everybody exactly what reporting achieves. And the next matter arrives with a documented history of inaction attached to it.

Safe Work Australia treats sexual harassment as a psychosocial hazard. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s sexual harassment course and psychological safety training course.