WGEA CEO acknowledges progress, but 'there's more to be done'
New data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) reveals that while most Australian employers have implemented policies to address work-related sexual harassment, more than one in four employers are not monitoring how prevalent the issue is in their workplaces.
WGEA's 2024 report, based on responses from over 7,000 medium and large employers representing more than five million employees, sheds light on the actions taken since the introduction of the positive duty, which requires employers to provide a safe workplace for all employees.
It found that despite nearly 99% of employers reporting the implementation of formal policies on sexual harassment and discrimination, 28% are not monitoring how prevalent it is.
"While we are seeing comprehensive policy coverage, this is only a critical first step. Long-term culture change within organisations also requires employees and company leaders to know the policy, understand what's in it and the part they play in its implementation," said WGEA CEO Mary Wooldridge in a statement.
According to Wooldridge, CEOs and boards can play a bigger role in proactively enabling a safe culture by communicating expectations more regularly to employees.
This comes as the report found that while 85% of CEOs are involved in reviewing, signing off on, and communicating policies, only 55% of boards are similarly engaged.
"Overall, we are seeing positive progress in relation to the prevention and responses to sexual harassment but there's more to be done," she said.
Meanwhile, the report also highlighted that there are gaps in the ability to protect the confidentiality of those who report incidents.
Almost all employers (98%) have processes in place to report harassment to HR or designated staff, but only 68% offer anonymous disclosure options.
Training is another area where WGEA's results show mixed progress, according to WGEA.
Its report indicated that while 88% of employers provide training to their workforce on sexual harassment, with most offering it at induction or annually.
"WGEA's new results expand employers' understanding of where they are doing well and helps to inform their plans for action to create safer, more inclusive and more respectful workplace environments for all employees," Wooldridge said.
