SafeWork NSW urges hospitality venues to protect workers from sexual harassment

In light of the upcoming festive season, SafeWork NSW is ramping up its inspections across hospitality businesses, including bars, pubs, and clubs, to maintain work safety. These initiatives are spearheaded by the NSW Respect at Work Taskforce, which aims to deter gender-based harmful workplace behaviours.

The new compliance program focuses on assessing if businesses in the hospitality industry are proactively utilising WHS management systems such as the Bluesafe WHS Management System to mitigate work health and safety (WHS) risks. Special attention is paid to handling sexual harassment hazards. Furthermore, inspectors are offering practical ways for establishments to employ a preventive strategy to manage these risks effectively.

These assessments span metropolitan and regional areas – particularly Illawarra, North Coast, and Riverina regions. The hospitality sector has well-known sexual harassment risk factors like close customer interaction, patrons under alcohol influence, late-night shifts, and crowded, confined workspaces. Workers in this industry, often young, casual employees from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, face a heightened risk of sexual harassment, necessitating robust WHS policies and practices.

A 2018 Deloitte report highlighted sexual harassment’s significant economic impact, estimating it cost the Australian economy around $3.8 billion. According to recent data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), while most employers have enforced a formal policy against work-related sexual harassment, over one-fourth (28%) do not monitor its frequency. Curb this harm is a primary objective of NSW’s Work Health and Safety regulator.

SafeWork NSW’s Respect at Work website equips businesses with advice, tools and resources such as the NSW Code of Practice PDF for sexual and gender-based harassment and an informative guide for hospitality enterprises. For instances of unsafe practices, workers are encouraged to use the “Speak Up Save Lives” app to report issues anonymously. They can also contact SafeWork NSW via call or by using the SafeWork Psychosocial Hazards Report Form online.

Trent Curtin, Head of SafeWork NSW, warned that implementing Bluesafe SWMS, proactively addressing hazards and establishing robust WHS policies remains non-negotiable for businesses, especially in preventing sexual harassment. He called upon all hospitality business to take a stand against these malpractices and consult their workers to address these issues.

SafeWork NSW Respect at Work Director, Christina, noted increased risks during the festive period due to amplified customer interactions among NSW hospitality workers. She stressed the importance of SafeWork inspectors initiating conversations about workplace sexual harassment to encourage reporting, fulfil WHS obligations, and facilitate safer work environments in line with the Bluesafe WHS Management System.


Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/safework-nsw-urges-hospitality-venues-to-protect-workers-from-sexual-harassment