Respect at Work: What the Changes Mean for Australian Employers in 2024
February, 2024
The Respect at Work reforms continue to reshape Australian workplace expectations, placing a stronger emphasis on prevention, leadership responsibility and organisational accountability. As 2024 progresses, many organisations are reassessing how they manage workplace behaviour, respond to concerns, and ensure their workforce understands what respectful conduct looks like.
While compliance matters, the real benefit of these changes is cultural. Businesses that invest in training and capability-building are seeing stronger engagement, improved morale, and clearer behaviour standards across their teams.
Key Impacts for Employers
A positive duty to prevent sexual harassment, sex-based harassment and discrimination.
Greater expectations on leaders and supervisors to recognise issues early and respond appropriately.
Increased focus on psychosocial risk management, including behaviour, conflict, workload pressures and team dynamics.
A shift from reactive responses to proactive education and capability-building.
How Training Supports Compliance and Culture
Respect at Work requirements are ultimately about creating safer, more respectful workplaces. Effective training helps staff understand:
what respectful behaviour looks like
how to speak up early
how to manage concerns appropriately
how leaders can set and reinforce expectations
At You Train, we deliver practical, engaging and tailored training that helps organisations meet their obligations while strengthening workplace culture. Programs can be delivered for general staff, supervisors or managers and include bullying and harassment awareness, Respect at Work training, and People & Culture development.
If your organisation needs support aligning with current requirements, contact us at learn@youtrain.com.au
