In early 2022, the Albanese government committed to implementing and legislating all 55 of the recommendations of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Respect@Work Report. On 27 September 2022, the government introduced the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022, which seeks to implement seven of the 55 recommendations to strengthen laws that prevent sexual harassment.

Once implemented, the changes will involve a positive duty on employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate workplace harassment, victimisation and sex discrimination. The Bill also proposes giving the AHRC the powers to enforce these changes.

In this update, W+K partner and Workplace Health + Safety expert Sian Gilbert and associate Mikaela Mahony explain the proposed changes and the issues they raise for insurers.