Workplace behaviours

As an employer, you’re responsible for providing a safe working environment for your employees that is free of bullying sexual harassment and discrimination.

Bullying

Workplace bullying is repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or group of workers, which creates a risk to their health and safety.

Repeated behaviour is behaviour that is persistent and could involve a range of behaviours over time. Unreasonable behaviour is behaviour that a reasonable person, considering the circumstances, would see as unreasonable. This includes behaviour that is victimising, humiliating, intimidating or threatening.

Read more about what factors can increase the risk of workplace bullying and control measures that can be implemented to help prevent it.

Sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is unlawful behaviour that consists of three key elements, namely behaviour that:

1. is unwelcome
2. is of a sexual nature, and
3. a reasonable person who is aware of the circumstances, considering the situation, could possibly make the person subjected to the conduct feel offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Discrimination

It is unlawful to discriminate against a person at work based on an attribute (e.g. sex, age, race, etc.) listed in the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld). A person with an attribute listed in the Act must not be treated less favourably than someone without that attribute.

An employer may impose genuine occupational requirements for a role, however.

We encourage members to contact us for advice on these obligations. Or you can learn more at our QLD Anti-Discrimination Act training course.