Recent decisions from the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Circuit Court have sent a powerful message to employers and individual workers alike — sexual harassment liability is expanding rapidly, and the financial consequences are becoming increasingly significant. In the second major decision delivered within two weeks, substantial compensation orders were made against individual respondents, including in matters involving non-physical sexual harassment. These decisions reinforce the growing legal, reputational, and psychosocial safety risks facing workplaces that fail to properly prevent and respond to inappropriate conduct.

Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan will discuss these important developments, the emerging legal trends, and what employers should be doing now to manage risk and meet their workplace obligations.