The head of a leading diversity group says organisations and employees are at far greater risk without one
The head of a leading diversity group has called on employers to implement a sexual harassment policy if they haven’t already, warning that organisations and employees are at far greater risk without one.
Bev Cassidy-Mackenzie – chief executive of Diversity Works NZ – spoke out about the issue after top law firm Russell McVeagh found itself at the centre of a sexual harassment scandal.
An investigation by Newsroom alleged “a pattern of sexually inappropriate behaviour” by a number of senior male lawyers at the firm towards female university students who spent a summer clerking for the company in 2016.
The allegations have already cost two lawyers their jobs and have sparked a wave of commentary about how the profession treats its most vulnerable staff.
“We work with Russell McVeagh and its leadership has shown a commitment to creating an inclusive culture where all staff feel safe to bring their whole selves to work,” said Cassidy-Mackenzie.
“They have always had harassment policies in place and made staff aware of them,” she added. “But this incident illustrates that any organisation, big or small, needs to be prepared to deal with sexual harassment issues, and all businesses should have systems in place to protect and support staff when allegations are made.”
Gary McDiarmid, chief executive at Russell McVeagh, confirmed the company undertook a full investigation after it received “serious allegations” about events that took place in Wellington more than two years ago.
