Peak industry body the National Retail Association has supported the Albanese Government’s proposed reforms to address sexual harassment, introduced to Parliament today.
Interim CEO Lindsay Carroll said with the adoption of legislative change comes the need for greater education for employers, especially small businesses, to help the industry put an end to sexual harassment at work.
“Under no circumstance should retail workers be on the receiving end of sexual harassment. Retail is a high-risk sector for occupational violence, including sexual harassment, and it is an issue we take very seriously.
“But for the recommendations to work, the Government needs to follow through with educating employers on new or changed employer duties relating to their obligation to eliminate sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in the workplace.
“Where employers will be given a positive duty to take ‘reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate sexual harassment, then businesses need to be engaged as part of the process, in particular small businesses that do not have access to trained human resources personnel.
“Sexual harassment at work can be prevented from happening in the first place. As retail is one of the largest employers of young people and women, we have a responsibility to ensure all staff is safe at work.”
The National Retail Association is the voice of modern retail, representing more than 60,000 stores across Australia. It has been serving businesses in the retail and fast-food sectors for close to 100 years.
For more information, contact the NRA Media unit at marketing@nra.net.au