Have your say: sexual harassment in Australian workplaces

The national inquiry into sexual harassment in Australian workplaces, led by Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, has extended the submission deadline to 28 February 2019.

This gives stakeholders and the public an extra month to contribute to this important work.

In November, Commissioner Jenkins called on Australian employers to make a partial waiver of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) so parties to NDAs are able to make confidential submissions to the National Inquiry.

“We know NDAs can be beneficial, enabling all parties to put the unpleasantness of a dispute behind them. But we can’t fully understand the experience of the full complaint process, including negotiating resolutions that include NDAs, without access to the experience of people – complainants and respondents – who are subject to them,” Commissioner Jenkins said.

The new submission deadline means people who have NDAs with employers who have agreed to the waiver still have plenty of time to contribute.

“I am very grateful to the employers who are supporting the limited waiver of NDAs. In doing so they are supporting the National Inquiry and its work towards reducing the prevalence and harm of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces.

“We know there are organisations still considering the limited waiver. The new submission timeline means there is still scope for them to do this. We encourage any employers interested in taking part to contact the National Inquiry team as soon as possible.

A list of employers supporting the waiver is on the AHRC website.

Submissions can be made via the AHRC website until 28 February.