Have sexual harassment laws gone too far in Australia?
600148
They have in most places.
14171
In most states, that would NOT be legal, it would be considered a sexual assualt in some jurisdictions.\nIn any case, you do not want to give this person a valid reason to say terrible things if someone asks for a reference, or to file a complaint with law enforcement.\nLet it go.
649820
I cover courts in the UK. While there are strict instructions to judges, juries etc to disregard sexual status on any charge, human nature will prevail.\nIn the judiciary, there are plenty of gays who would never admit it, and therefore would, perhaps, give a more sympathetic hearing to similarly minded.\nI think, it probably evens itself out, who knows?
1085542
I think there are to many laws, and the knee-jerk reaction of legislating against anything that upsets us is one the major things that are wrong with this country.  To much legislation for things that hurt our feelings.  And another law against sex, yeah that is just what we need.\n\nWhen a contract is broken (and marriage is a contract) between two people, your recourse is civil justice(getting a divorce).
1143731
I know you mean council tax, anyhow the lady in question was wrong not to pay her bill. I agree that carting someone off to jail for a minor offence is abominable when paedophiles are being set free.If only more people complained in this country, look at France, they have a riot every time the government there cocks up!It's time we stopped adopting the "stiff upper lip" attitude and started to show the politicians who their bosses are, us the taxpayer!
1146540
Unfortunately for you the company has a right and is following the law with such a policy. This usually only applies to individuals who are blood related or are married but since there is obviously a sexual relationship between the two of you, the company has to follow their sexual harrassment policy and not allow one partner to supervise the other.
838248
Man, I cannot argue with you on that. I never understood why women would do such childish things and then they have the nerve to cry "sexual harrassment". I think alot of the sexual harrassements suits could be eliminated if WOMEN would show more self-respect by dressing professional (suit, long skirt, jacket, etc..) & quit flirting with other men. Also, the companies need to specify to these women before hiring them about the dress code and if they are caught dressing inappropiately either need to be suspended or sent home to change.
1013831
Its not legal in the United States. If a person lays a hand on you in any way shape form or fashion at a workplace in the US they can go to jail for assault and you can sue.
791177
In Australia its LawAccess, try a search in the yellow pages.
473556
I don't think it is a new phenomenon. I think it just gets talked about more these days. \nIn the past people were more afraid of coming forward and reporting abuse because of social stigmas. Now people are a lot more understanding for the victim. I think this is evidenced by the huge number of cases that have come out in recent years here in Australia which date back 30 - 40 years. Grown men have finally found the courage to come forth and talk about what heppened to them without being themselves labelled as "gay" or "dirty".
944045
The European Union has recently taken concrete steps to address sexual harassment in its Member States. In September 2002, the European Parliament and Council adopted Directive 2002/73/EC amending Council Directive 76/207/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions. \n\nCouncil Directive 76/207/EEC is the foundation of EU law and policy in the area of gender equality in employment. As amended in 2002, the Equal Treatment Directive states that "the principle of equal treatment means that there shall be no direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of sex in the public or private sectors, including public bodies, in relation to" conditions for access to employment, vocational guidance and training, employment and working conditions, including dismissal and membership in organizations of workers or employers. In Commission v. United Kingdom, Case 165/82, [1983] ECR 3431, the European Court of Justice held that EU Member States could not exclude certain small businesses from application of the equal treatment principle as does the United States in its legislation prohibiting sex discrimination in employment, Title VII. Please see the section on domestic law and policy for more information on Title VII.\n\nGo to: http://www.stopvaw.org/1976_Equal_Treatment_Directive_and_2002_Sexual_Harassment_Amendment.html\nfor more info.\n\ncc
271243
To be honest, I have seen stuff on comedy shows, documentaries, evening news, etc. that showed female (and, occasionally male) broadcasters being sexually harrased (i.e. attempt at mounting, humping, and even ejaculating) by bulls, ortriches, camels, llamas, orangutans, chimpanzees, zebras, donkeys, horses, dogs, goats, etc. Pretty much any animal in heat that saw itself as big enough to give it a shot with a human. Disgusting, but it is how it is.
1066641
It made a significant news story on the TV in Australia.  Any sport violence is bad, and I think if you are looking for discrimination, you have lost the ability to look at it neutrally.
954808
It's probably illegal in all the states. That's a form of harassment.
117635
Have yearly meeting desribing this type of behavior and tell employee's that it will not be tolerated.  In many case's what is sexual harassment to one person may not be to another, so you need to have all employee's aware of what can be constituted as sexual harassment.  Something as simple as starring at someone for 13 seconds is considerred ooogolling and can be treated as sexual harassment.  Companies need to inform the employee's of their Sexual Harassment Policy at least every year,(there can be new definitions from year to year), and what the consequenses are for failure to comply.  Both the Company and the Individual can be held up to a law suit in these cases, which is why it is so important to have a no tolerance policy when it comes to these types of employee interactions.
665726
It's against the law in both countries.
199936
Harassment refers to a wide spectrum of offensive behavior. When the term is used in a legal sense it refers to behaviours that are found threatening or disturbing, and beyond those that are sanctioned by society. In societies which support free speech, only the more repetitive, persistent and untruthful types of speech qualify legally as harassment. Sexual harassment refers to persistent and unwanted sexual advances, typically in the workplace, where the consequences of refusing are potentially very disadvantaging to the victim.