Ep#24: Brent Sanders - Workplace sexual harassment, bullying. What is it?; how to recognise it; and how to deal with it.

Brent Sanders has spoken to almost one million people over the last 30 years on harassment, sexual crime and bullying in schools, universities and the workplace. In Ep#24 we speak about the differences between harassment and bullying and in what circumstances, and exactly how, the legislation applies. Do customers and clients come under the definition of workplace? Yes they do. Does the workplace include after work drinks at the pub? Yes it does. Brent talks about the strategies and approach managers can take to protect employees. He also talks about how sexual harassment can evolve into sexual assault. An assessment of human rights forms an important part of our investment process. A workplace free of harassment and bullying is a basic human right for everyone. But to recognise it and assess it, first you need to understand it. Brent Sanders helps us do just that.

Highlights

1.30 An important part of the Ethical Partners Opportunity and Risk Assessment (EPORA) includes an assessment of human rights under which harassment and bullying forms an important part. But to recognise it and assess it, first you need to understand it. 

1.59 Rio Tino's Everyday Respect Report finds harassment and bullying is widely suffered throughout the company (www.riotinto.com). Ethical Partners engages with a wide range of companies on the topic.

5.00 Most workplaces Brent speaks to recognise that sexual harassment remains the most problematic form of harassment.

6.10 Brent's background. After a long career in the police force Brent started his own consulting business and has connected with almost 1 million people (not quite that many but after this Podcast he may get from 900,000 to 1m... maybe).

10.10 Every person in the workplace is entitled to be offended, is entitled to raise a concern and is entitled to have that concern listened to and assessed.

13.15 Work policies that refer to the "workplace" but that definition is broad. The "workplace umbrella" should provide protection for employees from inappropriate behaviour by customers, clients and outside the office under certain circumstances.

23.00 The tests that can be used in how to assess the impact of behaviour outside of work on the workplace itself.

24.45 What is the moral and ethical obligation of managers and others to call out inappropriate behaviour?

25.55 In some circumstances there is a legal obligation to act.

27.00 How social media fits in and what is a "passive" post? The Israel Folau example.

32.01 The fascinating difference between bullying and harassment?

36.05 The definition of bullying. Why does the behaviour need to be "repeated"? If it is not repeated, the behaviour may still be inappropriate, even it doesn't fall under the actual definition of "bullying"

43.06 The David Jones case - organisational liability. The new proactive requirement for companies.

48.02 Going from civil to criminal offences. From bullying to assault. From sexual harassment to sexual assault. Examples.

52.52 Each State and Territory has legislation that deals with unlawful sexual assault. Consequences are criminal in nature and involve the possibility of imprisonment.

Brent's podcast: "Consent and Consequences" https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/consent-consequences-with-brent-sanders/id1562242401

Brent's website: https://www.brentsandersconsulting.com.au/

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