Based on its work supporting women subjected to systemic workplace abuse, Working Women Queensland has welcomed amendments passed by the Queensland Parliament to fight workplace sexual harassment and discrimination.
Eloise Dalton, Director of Working Women Queensland, highlighted the importance of the Respect at Work and Other Matters Amendment Bill 2024, for protecting vulnerable workers across the state. “This Bill is a critical turning point in addressing the deeply ingrained power imbalances that exist in too many workplaces,” she said. “We hear from women every day who face not only harassment but also retaliation for speaking out. This legislation brings their voices to the forefront and ensures employers are held accountable for maintaining safe and respectful environments.”
The Bill introduces a new positive duty for employers to take proactive measures to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, building on recent reforms aimed at reducing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality.
Dalton continued, “We can no longer rely on complaints-driven processes alone. It’s time for employers to actively create cultures that value respect and dignity for all workers. This Bill ensures that workplaces are no longer reactive but take meaningful action to prevent harm from occurring in the first place.”
With decades of experience providing specialist advice and advocacy to vulnerable women across Queensland, Working Women Queensland sees the high levels of workplace harassment and discrimination across various industries. Dalton emphasised that the legislation is not just about compliance but about cultural change. “For too long, workplace harassment has been seen as an inevitable part of working life. This law will send a clear message that abuse will not be tolerated, and every worker has the right to a safe and equitable workplace.”
The Bill also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a worker based on their experience of domestic violence. This long-overdue reform reflects the growing understanding of the impact domestic violence has on a person’s capacity to engage in and maintain employment.
“Domestic violence survivors face unacceptable levels of discrimination,” said Dalton. “This change acknowledges the immense challenges survivors face in rebuilding their lives, including financial independence. By protecting them from workplace discrimination, we are sending a clear message that survivors deserve support, not stigma.”
“We support many people who experience hurt and harm caused by discrimination and we know that consequences are severe for those who experience intersectional disadvantage,” said Dalton. “It can be challenging to neatly isolate one individual attribute as the driver for discriminatory conduct. The new protection against cumulative and intersectional discrimination is welcome.”
“The removal of complex legal tests like the comparator test is a huge step forward in making anti-discrimination laws more accessible to everyday workers. These changes simplify the process and lower the barriers to justice, so that victims of discrimination no longer face impossible hurdles in proving their cases,” Dalton stated. “The introduction of a shared burden of proof ensures that employers are equally accountable, creating a fairer system for everyone.”
Working Women Queensland will continue to advocate for stronger protections and provide support to those impacted by workplace discrimination.