Bystander Training Key to Tackling Workplace Sexual Harassment

ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius recently emphasised that every employer should assume there is a risk of workplace sexual harassment and must have procedures in place to prevent and manage it.

Speaking on WorkSafe ACT’s The Safety Spotlight podcast, Agius said the law now clearly places responsibility on PCBUs to prevent harassment, including from clients or customers. She stressed that prevention starts with education—ensuring workers understand what sexual harassment is and how to report it.

Agius highlighted the importance of “bystander training” as part of a strong prevention strategy. Workers need to know they’ll be supported if they speak up, but many hesitate out of fear of being labelled a troublemaker or losing their job.

She noted that building a respectful, inclusive workplace culture is not just a legal obligation—it’s good business. Leaders must actively demonstrate that harassment is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Our Take

This message from WorkSafe ACT is a timely reminder that sexual harassment prevention is not just about policies—it’s about culture. Employers must go beyond compliance and foster environments where respect is the norm and speaking up is safe.

Bystander training is a practical and powerful tool. It empowers employees to intervene or report harassment and reinforces that everyone has a role in maintaining a safe workplace. But it only works if leadership backs it up with action.

If your organisation hasn’t reviewed its harassment prevention strategy recently, now is the time. The legal expectations are clear—and so is the moral imperative.

Action Items:

• Implement Bystander Training - Equip employees with the skills and confidence to speak up when they witness harassment.

• Clarify Reporting Pathways - Ensure all staff know how to report harassment and what to expect from the process.

• Lead by Example - Train leaders to model respectful behaviour and respond decisively to inappropriate conduct.

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