Reforms regarding sexual harassment in the workplace have been taking place over the last two years, and there is another deadline for implementation looming for Queensland businesses.
From 1 March 2025, the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 will require Queensland businesses and employers to prepare a written prevention plan to manage the risk of sexual harassment and sex/gender-based harassment at work.
This is a new requirement, in addition to those introduced last year, which requires employers to be proactive and implement control measures to create a workplace free from sexual harassment and sex/gender-based harassment.
What is a prevention plan?
Similar to managing other workplace health and safety risks, this requires a risk assessment, prevention methods and response plan to address risks of sexual harassment and sex/gender-based harassment, and must:
- be in writing;
- identify all risks;
- include control/prevention measures;
- identify the matters considered in each risk and in determining the appropriate control measures;
- clearly explain the consultation process with employees or others covered by the prevention plan;
- set out the company procedures for dealing with reports of sexual harassment and sex/gender-based harassment; and
- demonstrate how this is available to all covered, and easily understood.
Ensuring your compliance to this change is critical, as penalties apply for failure to prepare and implement your plan.
How Gallagher can help
If you have not yet started the process to develop a prevention plan, please reach out to our expert team. Gallagher can help ensure your organisation is compliant and that you're staying ahead of changes in legislation. We can also provide workplace training so that your leaders and employees can walk away armed with the knowledge and skills to recognise, prevent and respond to incidents.
