Australia has emerged as the global leader in workplace violence and harassment, with nearly half of the nation’s workforce experiencing abuse at some point in their careers.
This rate is more than double the global average of 21 percent, highlighting a severe issue within Australian workplaces.
Experts attribute this troubling trend to Australia’s “blokey” culture and a tendency to dismiss inappropriate behaviour as mere jokes. Reports of extreme incidents, such as employees being threatened with rape or doused in petrol, are unfortunately common.
The situation is exacerbated by a tightening labour market and rising living costs, which discourage workers from reporting abuse for fear of losing their jobs. Nicole Dwyer, CEO of Workskil Australia, warns that these factors could further escalate workplace abuse, as victims may feel physically ill at the thought of returning to work where harassment is likely to occur.
The grim reality of workplace abuse in Australia is detailed in the film Digging Deeper: Global Experiences of Workplace Violence and Harassment, produced by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation. Builder Jo Farrell, who has spent decades advocating for women in trades through her organisation Build Like A Girl, shares harrowing personal experiences. Farrell recounts being propositioned and surveilled as an apprentice and observing continued harassment and inappropriate behaviour on worksites. Reports from June alone included 70 notifications of workplace sexual assault in the ACT, underscoring the entrenched nature of the issue.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody acknowledges that Australia’s high reporting rates might contribute to the apparent prevalence of workplace abuse but remains concerned that the actual extent may be greater. She supports recent positive duty laws aimed at eliminating workplace sexual harassment but urges employees to actively report abuse and scrutinize potential employers’ harassment policies.
Franca Sala Tenna, a workplace behaviour expert, highlights that workplace bullying, often overlooked or minimized by perpetrators and some organizations, remains a significant problem. She criticizes the “toughen up” mentality prevalent in many workplaces, where unlawful initiation practices and abusive behaviour are downplayed as jokes.
To combat these issues, Sala Tenna advises those experiencing or witnessing workplace abuse to document incidents, seek support from trusted managers or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and hold perpetrators accountable. Observers have a duty to report and support affected colleagues.
The statistics reveal that 49% of Australians have experienced workplace violence and harassment, compared to 21% globally. Within Australia and New Zealand, 52% of women and 44% of men have faced such issues.
Additionally, sustained workplace attacks are notably high, with 72% of workers who experienced physical violence facing it repeatedly, 65% encountering repeat sexual violence, and 79% enduring ongoing psychological harassment.
