preventing and addressing sexual harassment in businesses Appendix 1: Template Policy for Sexual harassment policies can vary between workplaces. However, there are a number of key elements that should be included in any sexual harassment policy, whether it’s a stand-alone document or the information is incorporated into other relevant policies and procedures, outlined in the table below. The suggested content can be incorporated into existing sexual harassment policies, or organisations can use the elements’ section to develop their own content. ‘key Section Key elements Suggested content 1. Who this policy applies to Include a list of all individuals/roles that This policy applies to current or prospective employees, colleagues, partners, the policy applies to. commission agents, sole traders, clients, contractors, managers/supervisors, customers and workplace participants. 2. When does this policy Include a list of all places and contexts This policy applies to any place where the above people work or carry out functions apply that the policy covers. related to work. For example, this can include offices, building sites, supermarkets, aircrafts or at conferences, events and functions or work functions off-site. 3. Statement of commitment Broad statement of the organisation’s This sexual harassment policy outlines our organisation’s commitment to: commitments around preventing and Creating a workplace culture which is focused on equality and respect, which responding to sexual harassment. supports people to take bystander action and takes a zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment Tip: This statement could be supported by The prevention of sexual harassment the inclusion of a quote from the The establishment of a safe, supportive and fair complaints procedure organisation’s CEO to show leadership commitment to this issue. 4. How our organisational Outline the steps your organisation will For example: commitment will be take to ensure that it achieves the aims Actively promote this workplace sexual harassment policy and ensure that all achieved listed in the of commitment’. staff are encouraged to make a formal complaint if they experience sexual ‘statement harassment Establish a fair complaints procedures and all complaints in a sensitive, timely and confidential manner Implement training and awareness raising strategies (such as Know Where the Line Is to skill staff in understanding workplace sexual harassment and the importance of bystander action
Appendix 1: Template Policy for preventing and addressing sexual harassment in businesses Sexual harassment policies can vary between workplaces. However, there are a number of key elements that should be included in any sexual harassment policy, whether it’s a stand-alone document or the information is incorporated into other relevant policies and procedures, outlined in the table below. The suggested content can be incorporated into existing sexual harassment policies, or organisations can use the ‘key elements’ section to develop their own content. Section Key elements Suggested content 1. Who this policy applies to Include a list of all individuals/roles that the policy applies to. This policy applies to current or prospective employees, colleagues, partners, commission agents, sole traders, clients, contractors, managers/supervisors, customers and workplace participants. 2. When does this policy apply Include a list of all places and contexts that the policy covers. This policy applies to any place where the above people work or carry out functions related to work. For example, this can include offices, building sites, supermarkets, aircrafts or at conferences, events and functions or work functions off-site. 3. Statement of commitment Broad statement of the organisation’s commitments around preventing and responding to sexual harassment. Tip: This statement could be supported by the inclusion of a quote from the organisation’s CEO to show leadership commitment to this issue. This sexual harassment policy outlines our organisation’s commitment to: Creating a workplace culture which is focused on equality and respect, which supports people to take bystander action and takes a zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment The prevention of sexual harassment The establishment of a safe, supportive and fair complaints procedure 4. How our organisational commitment will be achieved Outline the steps your organisation will take to ensure that it achieves the aims listed in the ‘statement of commitment’. For example: Actively promote this workplace sexual harassment policy and ensure that all staff are encouraged to make a formal complaint if they experience sexual harassment Establish a fair complaints procedures and all complaints in a sensitive, timely and confidential manner Implement training and awareness raising strategies (such as Know Where the Line Is to skill staff in understanding workplace sexual harassment and the importance of bystander action