Prevent sexual harassments at work
Use the Discrimination Act and the Work Environment Act to help you in your work to tackle sexual harassment. Here you will find information on what you need to do to meet the requirements of both acts.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is conduct of a sexual nature that violates a person's dignity. Besides comments and words, this could involve unwanted touching or leering. It could also be a question of unwelcome compliments, insinuations, text messages and images of a sexual nature.
Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination under the Discrimination Act. Sexual harassment can also be a form of victimisation under work environment legislation.
This is your responsibility as an employer
The Discrimination Act aims to combat discrimination and to promote equal rights and opportunities in other ways. Under this act, sexual harassment is a form of discrimination.
The Work Environment Act aims to prevent ill health and accidents at work, and to achieve a good working environment. Sexual harassment can be a form of victimisation, which is regulated under this act.
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Questions and answers about sexual harassment
- Can flirtation be sexual harassment?
- When is a sexual behaviour "unwelcome"?
- An employee feels they are being sexually harassed by a colleague at an office party – do I as a manager need to do something?
- Why is sexual harassment regulated in different acts?