Workplace Sexual Harassment: Definition & Types

Workplace Sexual Harassment refers to any unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature that makes the work environment intimidating, uncomfortable, or hostile. This can lead to mental, emotional, physical, or even economic harm to the person experiencing it. Workplace sexual harassment can take different forms, including:

• Verbal: Inappropriate comments, jokes, or propositions of a sexual nature.
• Physical: Unwanted touching, groping, or any physical contact.
• Non-verbal: Suggestive gestures or facial expressions.
• Visual: Showing or sharing inappropriate images or explicit materials.

Workplace sexual harassment can happen in various environments, including:

• The workplace itself
• Online platforms (emails, chats)
• Educational institutions
• Households (e.g., in aged care or disability personal care roles within clients’ homes).
• Public spaces

Key points about workplace sexual harassment:

• It is unwanted and non-consensual.
• It is based on sex or gender.
• It creates a hostile or uncomfortable environment.
• It can happen through one-time incidents or be a repeated pattern.
• The impact on the person being harassed is more significant than the intention of the harasser.

Recognising Workplace Sexual Harassment