Sexual harassment is a WHS risk — SafeWork NSW puts hospitality on notice

A recent SafeWork NSW compliance program has highlighted widespread shortcomings in how hospitality venues are managing workplace sexual harassment. Over two months, inspectors visited 38 venues and issued 16 improvement notices to 11 businesses — underscoring the urgent need for stronger leadership, clearer systems, and more robust training.

“Sexual harassment in any workplace is unacceptable. However, we know that hospitality workers face a higher-than-average risk of experiencing sexual harassment — whether due to the service of alcohol, late night work or the expectation that customer needs are prioritised over worker safety and respect.”

_{Christina Banovic, Director of Capability and Engagement, SafeWork NSW}

Key findings from the Respect at Work Taskforce

SafeWork NSW’s inspections were led by its Respect at Work Taskforce, which focuses on psychosocial hazards in the workplace — including sexual harassment. The team assessed how venues were identifying, preventing and responding to these risks as part of their WHS responsibilities.

Key findings included:

• Lack of depth in risk assessments: 8 venues failed to consider common drivers of sexual harassment such as alcohol service and late-night customer contact.
• Gaps in incident investigation: While most venues had pathways for reporting incidents, few had strong systems to investigate and respond effectively.
• Inconsistent training: Only 82% of venues offered some form of sexual harassment training, and much of it lacked consistency or depth
• Limited worker consultation: Many venues had not engaged staff meaningfully when developing controls to prevent harassment.

“This inspection program across 38 NSW hospitality venues demonstrates that progress is being made. However, more needs to be done — including across the areas of leadership, training, reporting and work design — to ensure the health and safety of hospitality workers.”

_{Christina Banovic}

Respect@Work is a WHS responsibility — not just HR

SafeWork NSW’s findings reinforce a major shift: preventing workplace sexual harassment is now squarely within the domain of WHS. Under Australia’s positive duty framework, venues are expected to take proactive steps — not just react once harm occurs.

“As the workplace safety regulator, SafeWork NSW has increased its focus on this pervasive harm and urges the hospitality industry to take proactive steps to protect its workers from sexual harassment.”

_{Christina Banovic}

How Allara Global helps hospitality venues lead the way

Allara Global’s Respect@Work training pathway is built specifically to help hospitality businesses meet their obligations under the Respect@Work framework — and create safer, more inclusive teams.

Structured into three progressive tiers, the training supports both legal compliance and cultural change. All courses are included in Allara Global’s standard subscription and form part of our recommended learning plans for induction and leadership development.

Tier 1: Foundations

Audience: All employees
Focus: Legal awareness and behavioural foundations

• Workplace Sexual Harassment (20–30 mins)
• Workplace Bullying (20–25 mins)
• Harassment and Discrimination (20–25 mins)
• Psychological Safety in the Workplace (25–30 mins)

Included in: Induction – Essentials

Tier 2: Culture & Inclusion

Audience: People leaders and recommended for all employees
Focus: Culture change and early intervention

• Diversity and Inclusion (20–30 mins)
• Unconscious Bias (20–25 mins_

Included in: Induction – Advanced

Tier 3: Leadership Responsibilities

Audience: People leaders
Focus: Leadership accountability

• Positive Leadership in Action (25–30 mins)
• Leading Difficult Conversations (25–30 mins)

Included in: Lead a Team, Lead Communication

From policy to practice

Each course goes beyond compliance — helping staff and leaders build real-world skills and safer team dynamics. Learners gain:

• A clear understanding of legal responsibilities under the Respect@Work framework
• Tools to prevent and respond to harassment, bullying and discrimination
• Awareness of unconscious bias and how to foster inclusive culture
• Practical skills to create psychologically safe workplaces
• Confidence to lead difficult conversations and uphold accountability
   

Prepare now — and protect your people

SafeWork NSW’s inspections are just one part of a growing regulatory push. Venues that take proactive steps now will be better equipped to stay compliant, audit-ready and culturally strong.

Allara Global is here to support that journey.

Contact us to learn more about rolling out the Respect@Work learning pathway across your team.