SafeWork NSW targets sexual harassment risks in hospitality inspections

The NSW Respect at Work Taskforce is leading the new hospitality compliance program, with inspections underway in metropolitan and regional areas, including the Illawarra, North Coast and Riverina. Inspectors are checking whether businesses proactively manage work health and safety risks, including sexual harassment, and providing practical guidance on prevention.

The source identifies several factors that can increase sexual harassment risks in hospitality: close contact with customers, customers affected by alcohol, late-night shifts and busy, confined workspaces. Young workers, casual employees and workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds may also face greater risks.

SafeWork NSW Respect at Work Director Christina said the festive period can increase the risk for hospitality workers as they interact with large numbers of customers attending end-of-year celebrations. She also identified isolated work areas and poorly lit environments among the workplace factors that may expose workers to sexual harassment.

Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said businesses must take proactive, preventative steps under NSW WHS laws to address sexual harassment risks. “We will not tolerate unsafe work practices or businesses putting workers in harm’s way.” He urged hospitality businesses to tackle sexual harassment and inappropriate drug use and consult workers about these harms.

A 2018 Deloitte report estimated that workplace sexual harassment cost the Australian economy about $3.8 billion. Workplace Gender Equality Agency results released last month found that most employers had a formal policy on work-related sexual harassment, but more than one in four employers—28%—were not monitoring its prevalence.

SafeWork NSW’s Respect at Work website provides advice, tools and resources on preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment. These include the NSW Code of Practice for sexual and gender-based harassment and a guide for hospitality businesses.

Workers experiencing unsafe practices are urged to report them to their workplace first. If they cannot raise the issue or are dissatisfied with the response, they can report WHS concerns anonymously through the Speak Up Save Lives app. Workers can also contact SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or use the SafeWork Psychosocial Hazards Report Form online.

How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your business’s approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas that need closer attention, including psychosocial hazards and worker consultation. Take the free WHS self-check