Positive duty and your workplace

What do the 59 women who died this year from violence against women have to do with positive duty?

Like many of us, I’m heartbroken at the news of so many women’s lives cut short in the last months.

Especially during the #16DaysOfActivism that has just come to an end. 16 Days of Activism is a global call to arms to end violence against women. But with stories of violence in the news daily, many are asking 'What can I do to make a difference? Where do I start?'

As Director of the Our Watch Institute, I work with businesses, leaders, and employers to prevent violence against women. Many of my discussions this year have focused on the new Respect@Work legislation , particularly the positive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace .

Many Australian employers want to know:

• How can I address positive duty?
• What are my responsibilities?
• Does it actually make any difference to my business or team?
• Can this really make a difference to the issue of violence against women?

The good news is, positive duty isn’t just a legal obligation. It’s an opportunity to join the national movement to end violence against women. It’s an opportunity to change the story of violence in Australia.

You might not make the connection instantly and that’s okay. Not many people do.

This is what you need to remember:

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a type of violence against women. It is driven by gender inequality.

That means to end sexual harassment and other forms of violence against women, we need to begin by promoting gender equality.

What is positive duty and how do I meet my legal obligations?

Positive duty means that you are responsible for ensuring your workplace is safe, equal and is actively addressing what drives sexual harassment in the workplace.

In practice, this looks different for every workplace, but can include:

• undertaking a pay audit across the business
• surveying staff to discover any issues relating to discrimination or harassment
• training your leadership and board to understand the new Respect@Work legislation and their obligations under positive duty
• reviewing your policies on harassment and discrimination
• training all staff, including leadership, to understand the issue of violence against women and how it is driven by gender inequality
• empowering employees to promote gender equality in all settings, including the workplace.

By doing your part and promoting safe workplaces, you will have a positive impact not only on your employees and workplace, but also your clients, customers and industry.

Promoting gender equality can lead to:

1. Enhanced brand and reputation.
2. Increased employee engagement and retention.
3. Improved workplace productivity.

It's a win-win scenario that transforms businesses into agents of meaningful change.

How can the Our Watch Institute help me meet my obligations under positive duty?

Every workplace and industry will have different needs under positive duty.

At the Our Watch Institute, we partner with businesses to provide tailored solutions that fit your needs and goals.

Taking an evidence-based approach to preventing violence against women, we look at what drives this violence and the actions we need to take to stop it before it starts.

This includes:

• bespoke training for executives and all staff
• expert advice and support
• evidence based tools.

By partnering with the Our Watch Institute, you're ensuring your business is ready for positive duty and empowered to drive meaningful changes. 

Reach out today by emailing us or use the form at the bottom of the page to discuss your needs.