Beyond the Complaint: Why Monitoring, Evaluation and Transparency Matter Under the Positive Duty

Under Australia’s Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), organisations now have a Positive Duty to prevent workplace sexual harassment, harassment on the basis of sex, and sex discrimination. Standard 7 of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Guidelines emphasises the need for regular monitoring, evaluation and transparency — not as box-ticking, but as core to building a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace.  

To meet this standard, organisations must think differently about how they respond to complaints. Traditional complaint-handling approaches often prioritise risk avoidance and confidentiality at the expense of cultural learning. Today, organisations must go further: not just resolving individual cases, but actively tracking patterns, outcomes, and signals of systemic drivers and risk. 

This includes capturing data on complaint outcomes, actions taken, and resolution timelines — and using that data to identify what’s working and where change is needed. But just as importantly, clear, values-aligned messaging must be shared across the workforce. Without breaching individual confidentiality, leaders can still communicate that behaviours have consequences, and that action has been taken. Because silence, even when well-intentioned, can erode trust. 

Transparency signals accountability. It shows that leadership takes misconduct seriously and is willing to act — not just respond. 

At Intersection we work with organisations to embed best-practice complaint response systems that are trauma-informed, procedurally fair, and aligned with legal obligations. We assist organisations to develop reporting frameworks, and communication protocols that support compliance and build great culture. Importantly, we upskill your leaders to take appropriate action in a person-centred, trauma-informed manner.  Because how an organisation monitors and communicates about inappropriate workplace behaviour is just as important as how it responds. 

Fostering a safe reporting culture underpins compliance with Standard 7. To support organisations with the practical elements of reporting and data collection, with a view to identifying systemic issues and taking action, Intersection has partnered with Rely, a leading trauma-informed workplace case management platform. Read more about the Rely x Intersection partnership. 

Intersection has a range of advisory and education offerings to support you meet and exceed your leadership obligations. Reach out to Talk to us today.