Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 employers must proactively manage the risk of sexual harassment and sex or gender-based harassment at work.

Understanding these requirements, and having the right policies and planning in place is essential, as pointed out by an excellent article recently published by Work Health & Safety Queensland. We have reproduced this below, and would encourage all businesses to ensure they are across all regulations in this important area

As part our wide suite of Member resources, ASGA Members have access to a Sexual Harassment Policy template, which can help you ensure your business has this important area covered – particularly with the new Positive Duty requirements in the Sex Discrimination Act. To access this policy, please follow the link above, or log in to the ASGA website and browse our Member Resources.

From 1 March 2025, a written prevention plan is required to manage any identified risks of sexual harassment and sex or gender-based harassment if elimination is not reasonably practicable.

Although a new requirement, developing a plan to manage identified risks should be a simple and familiar process for employers. This kind of harassment can be managed in the same way that any other risk would be managed in the workplace which means:

• Identifying hazards – investigate and detail when, where and how harassment could occur (for example, in the usual workplace, while making deliveries, or via email).
• Assessing risks – understand the level of the risks and assessing them.
• Controlling risks – take steps to remove or reduce risks using the hierarchy of controls.
• Maintaining and reviewing control measures – review the e fectiveness of the control measures and improve them where needed.

Resources have been developed to help employers prepare a prevention plan:

• Guide for PCBUs (PDF) – everything an employer needs to know about managing the risk of sexual harassment and sex or gender-based harassment at work:
  • what harassment can look like
  • characteristics of workers, the workplace and the work environment, that may increase the risk
  • how to prevent and manage risks using the risk management process
  • how to apply the hierarchy of controls when elimination of the risk is not practicable
  • methods for consulting with workers and others
  • a step-by-step guide on how to complete a written prevention plan.
• A prevention plan template (PDF) – this can be completed by PCBUs to fulfil their obligations under the WHS Regulation.
• Example of a completed prevention plan (PDF) – an example document to show what PCBUs can include within each step of their prevention plan.
• Fact sheet for PCBUs (PDF) – includes helpful FAQs about why employers need to manage the risk of sexual harassment and sex or gender-based harassment and the impacts that this form of harassment has on workplace safety and culture.
• Communications kit (PDF) – to assist employers to communicate key messages to their staff. The kit includes editorial content, a suggested social media post and important support resources.

Next steps for employers:

1. Download the resources.
2. Start consulting with workers to develop your prevention plan.
3. Share the completed plan with your workers.

More information and support resources are available on the WorkSafe website