Sweeping changes made to sexual harassment laws which could change the Australian workplace forever and see staffers fired for unwanted compliments – here’s what it means for your office
Scott Morrison will move to toughen up sexual harassment laws with a series of changes that will make it easier to fire offenders.
The government will change the workplace laws to catagorise harassment as serious misconduct, meaning an employee can be terminated for offences such as making unwanted sexual advances.
Mr Morrison also wants to include sexual harassment in stop bullying orders which allow employees to request to work different shifts to a bullying boss or colleague.
Attorney-general Michaelia Cash said the new rules will bring clarity for employers.
‘So we are going to ensure they know… that if you want, if sexual harassment is occurring in the workplace and it is proven, you can terminate a person for that.’
Under the changes, MPs and judges will no longer be exempt from the Sex Discrimination Act.