INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS UPDATE
Allison Park - Industrial Relations Manager
Spotlight on Sexual & Workplace Harassment We are certainly seeing a significant increase in the number of allegations in this area. In recent weeks we have seen this topic making headlines in some very prominent arenas, for all the wrong reasons. In the ‘Respect At Work Report 2020’ recently published by the Australian Human Rights Commission, we saw 55 improvement actions aimed at employers come out of this report alone. The nature of the types of behaviour that constitute harassment are very disturbing and worrying for us all. The Hospitality industry is certainly not immune from allegations of sexual harassment. We strongly encourage all of our members to step up their efforts in working to drastically reduce the occurrences of harassment in our industry. Some simple but very effective things that can be done in every workplace are: •Ensure you have clear robust policies in place for providing an anti-discrimination and harassment free workplace •Ensure all employees are aware of and understand the policies, importantly they should know exactly what to do when it comes to reporting issues •Ensure this topic is talked about and reinforced regularly at staffmeetings and other communications with staff such as memos or newsletters •Respond thoroughly and quickly if an allegation or an informal concern is raised •Formal training by a knowledgeable and skilled facilitator in this topic at least annually is critical •Ensure that when new staff are inducted, they are made aware of their duty of care obligations and responsibilities in ensuring a safe and healthy workplace and maintaining a harassment free workplace
Please feel free to contact SASS at any time, day or night on the 24 hour crisis support line 24 - hour support: 1800 697 877 Please keep the conversation going in your workplace, help to raise awareness and show your commitment in your actions outwardly. Prevention is going to go a very long way to the cure.
You can contact Allison on 0407 869 924 or 62207305 allison@tha.asn.au
The THA team was proud to support ‘Wear Teal Tuesday during April - Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The THA promotes and supports healthy, respectful personal and professional relationships in the hospitality industry. THA staff worea touch of teal onApril 13 andare selling raffle tickets to raise funds for Sexual Assault Support Service Tasmania. This year, the SAAM theme is ‘We can build safe spaces online’ with a vision to achieve a community free of sexual trauma. Visit www.sass.org.au for more information and to donate to Sexual Assault Support Services.
THA HOSPITALITY—REVIEW: APRIL 2021 | 8
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