State’s workplaces rated worst for sex pests

QUEENSLAND workplaces are the worst in the country for sexual harassment and discrimination against women, a national survey has revealed.

Almost 37 per cent of Queensland women surveyed said they had been a victim, compared with 35 per cent nationwide. More than half of Queensland women (52.7 per cent) who said they had been harassed, had experienced sexual advances, the survey conducted on behalf of Shine Lawyers found.

Almost half of Australian women who said they were victims said they were judged on their looks, not their brains.

Some women reported being told to wear shorter skirts, high-heel shoes and make-up to work.

One said: “I was told women belonged in the kitchen”, while another said: “They said my hair was too big. I should wear less revealing clothes.’’

“I was told I couldn’t do any work requiring travel because I was a woman,” was another.

In the cities, Brisbane had the third-highest percentage of harassed women reporting sexual advances by workmates, with 50.8 per cent.

“Often it’s a request for sexual favours, touching, massages and sometimes exposing themselves,’’ Queensland’s Acting Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Neroli Holmes said. Shine senior solicitor Christie Toy said that Queensland businesses clearly needed to review their policies and procedures and look at how they dealt with complaints.

Survey firm Censuswide received responses from 2009 Australians, aged 16 and older, between February 27 and March 1. The survey revealed 6 per cent – just over one in 20 men polled – admitted they had personally harassed or discriminated against female co-workers, with one in eight aged 25 to 34.

“The statistics really show it is still a large issue in Australian workplaces,’’ Ms Toy said.