The objective of this code is to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace. Others having dealings with a business.
Sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
The unwanted nature of sexual harassment distinguishes it from behaviour that is welcome and mutual. Quid pro quo harassment occurs where an owner, employer, supervisor, member of management or co-employee, undertakes or attempts to influence the process of employment, promotion, training, discipline, dismissal, salary increment or other benefit of an employee or job applicant, in exchange for sexual favours. A climate in the workplace should also be created and maintained in which victims of sexual harassment will not feel that their grievances are ignored or trivialised, or fear reprisals. They should ensure that their standards of conduct do not cause offence and they should discourage unacceptable behaviour on the part of others. This code recognises the primacy of collective agreements regulating the handling of sexual harassment cases, and is not intended as a substitute for disciplinary codes and procedures containing such measures, where these are the subject of collective agreements, or the outcome of joint decision making by an employer and a workplace forum.