Policies
The type of policies your organisation should put in place will depend on the needs and circumstances of your particular workplace.
Some organisations choose to have a single workplace policy which prohibits discrimination, bullying, and harassment on a range of grounds, including a person’s sex, race, disability, age or sexual orientation. Others may decide there is a need for an additional stand-alone sexual harassment policy.
In addition, organisations may have a separate policy on the appropriate use of electronic communication in the workplace.
If an organisation decides to use a general anti-discrimination policy, it is important that the different types of discrimination and harassment are well-defined and addressed comprehensively. If the policy is too broad or generic it can create confusion among staff and, as a result, not be effective.
A good workplace policy on discrimination and harassment should communicate:
- a strong statement of the organisation’s attitude to discrimination and harassment
- a definition of discrimination and harassment
- a statement that discrimination and harassment on any of the grounds in federal/state anti-discrimination legislation is against the law
- circumstances where discrimination and harassment can occur
- a statement that everyone has a responsibility to prevent workplace harassment and discrimination
- information on how and where to seek help if discrimination or harassment occurs
- the likely consequences of unlawful discrimination or harassment.