Harassment battle front
ON A day we celebrate the achievements of women, Marnie Ryan would love to tell the world all is well for females in the offices, lunch rooms and factories of the Gold Coast. Sadly, she can’t.
“I’d love to say yes … (but) a lot of change still needs to happen,” the Bundall employment lawyer said when asked if enough was being done to ensure better work environments for women.
“It takes a big step to speak out (against sexual harassment, bullying or discrimination) ... and sometimes women have trouble finding someone who will listen to them.
“I’m hopeful things are progressing … particularly with stronger females in the workplace and advising (employers).
“We need women coming forward and people there to represent their interests.”
As the sun rises on International Women’s Day, the past year has indeed been a watershed when it comes to exposure of women’s workplace rights.
The Hollywood-driven #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns
have shone a harsh spotlight on what constitutes acceptable behaviour – and seemingly inspired women in our city to also take a stand.
“It’s beginning to flow through and we’re starting to see an increase of sexual harassment cases come across our desks,” said Denise O’Reilly, principal lawyer of Burleigh’s O’Reilly Workplace Law.
“The laws are the same but there has been a little opening of the eyes for the fact they are there and can be used.
“There has been a low level of awareness about what can amount to sexual harassment.
“It’s not just someone making a pass at someone. The definition is conduct of a sexual nature that is unwelcome and a reasonable person would anticipate would humiliate or offend the other person.
“Often the owner or boss doesn’t even know it’s happened until after the event.
“Then we have to do our best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Ms O’Reilly, whose own firm has been short-listed for a Queensland Law Society diversity award, said her suite of lawyers not only represented businesses in such matters but offered educational training.
“It’s all about teaching them what sexual harassment is, what workplace discrimination is, what bullying is, and teaching them how to stop it,” Ms O’Reilly said.
“It has a lot of impact when a lawyer delivers it.”
And according to the woman behind Marnie Ryan Law, business owners inevitably listen.
“I’ve yet to come across an employer who, when they are fully informed of the potential implications of allowing this behaviour to go on, doesn’t willingly try to adopt change,” Ms Ryan said.
“I see a genuine willingness to take advice and improve.”