The positive duty shifts responsibility from individual complaints to organisational action.
It requires workplaces to move beyond “waiting for a report” and instead build systems werereporting is safe, accessible,and respect is the norm. In practice, this means ensuring that:
- Everyone understands what sexual harassment looks like and why it’s harmful
- Leaders are accountable for modelling respectful behaviour
- There are clear, safe, and accessible reporting pathways
- Responses to reports are trauma-informed, consistently applied across the workplace, and without retaliation or victimisation to the employee making the report
- Staff are trained and empowered to speak up early
- Data is regularly collected and reported to inform ongoing risk mitigation and prevention activity
- Risks are identified and managed as part of your WHS framework
Prevention is protection — for your people, your reputation, and your business.
Want to learn more about the Positive Duty framework and preventing workplace sexual harassment? In partnership with TCCI, SASS provides training for leaders and executives on understanding positive duty, assessing risk, and developing action plans for your workplace.
Learn more about your obligations:
Australian Human Rights Commission— Positive Duty | Preventing Workplace Sexual Harassment
