Experts advocate "fundamental shift" in workplace reporting

The positive duty employers have to address bullying, sexual harassment and other psychosocial hazards calls for a "fundamental" shift in workplace listening and reporting mechanisms, a culture specialist says.

Intersection principal Natasha de Silva, who was responsible for seven portfolios during her time with the Australian Human Rights Commission, and worked with former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins on the Respect@Work report, says times have changed, and specifically, anonymous reporting is now a crucial element in prevention efforts.

"Kate Jenkins says: 15 years ago, [she] would never have said it's good to have anonymous reporting," de Silva tells HR Daily.

But now, in the absence of anonymous reporting, "you just don't know what you're not finding out how your workforce is experiencing the workplace", she says...