Sexual Harassment

The SDA is totally committed to eliminating sexual harassment from out members' workplaces.

Sexual harassment is unacceptable behavior and is in breach of the fundamental right of an employee to work in a physically and physiologically safe environment, and to be treated fairly and with respect.

Sexual harassment can create an intimidating, hostile, offensive work environment. It is distressing and can affect a persons' mental and physical wellbeing. It is therefore an important health and safety issue.

Sexual harassment is a serious form of sex discrimination. It is demeaning, and threatens and undermines the individual concerned.

The SDA undertakes to treat all complaints seriously and sympathetically, and to deal with them promptly and confidentially. 

The SDA will ensure, to teh extent that we are able, that complaints will be fully investigated by the company, in an impartial manner and, to the extent that we are able, that the resolution is just and equitable.

The SDA will act to ensure that steps are taken by the employer to prevent further sexual harassment occurring in tha employers' workplace.

What Is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is any physical or verbal conduct or visual display, which is:

  • of a sexual nature,
  • unwelcome and uninvited, or
  • offensive, humiliating or intimidating.

Sexual harassment is not about occasional complaints and has nothing to do with the mutual attractions of friendship, which are consensual and acceptable to both parties. These are private concerns.

Grounds for sexual harassment can exist whether the harassment was intended or unintended.

Sexual harassment can take many forms, including:

  • Suggestive remarks
  • Sexually explicit conversations
  • Unwelcome jokes of a sexual nature in your presence or about you
  • Sexual graffiti
  • Offensive pictures
  • Sexual propositions

Sexual harassment may also constitute a criminal offense, including:

  • Obscene communications (telephone, calls, email, SMS/text messaging, letters etc)
  • Touching a person where the touching is sexual in nature, which is also sexual assault

What the SDA Will Do

The Union takes this problem seriously and offers you support and assistance in endeavouring to resolve the problem in your workplace, and through any investigation.

Your Union Organiser will explain to you your rights and options in regards to dealing with the problem and will respect your wishes.

If you are experiencing sexual harassment, contact the SDA now.