PHARMACISTS are being urged to take immediate action if they are subjected to sexual harassment, following the publication of a report by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) into incidents of abuse in the retail sector.
Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA) President, Dr Geoff March, told Pharmacy Daily that "any person working in a pharmacy, including employers, has a right to go to work each day and not be sexually harassed".
Responding to the AHRC report (PD yesterday) March said employee pharmacists should contact the union for advice if they are harassed by customers or colleagues.
"Any pharmacy worker who is the subject of sexual harassment should take immediate action to have it stop," he said.
"The best options for seeking to have such behaviour cease are very confusing and difficult for someone who has never encountered these issues in the past.
"PPA is experienced in determining the best way to achieve a cessation of the behaviour and for the member to be able to attend work without being harassed.
"Sometimes a simple discussion with the person who is doing the wrong thing is the best way to go; sometimes there is a need to involve the employer; and sometimes there is a need to go to the police and/or to outside courts and tribunals to get the behaviour to stop."
March called on pharmacy owners to ensure they complied with their legal obligations to protect staff from all forms of harassment.
"Employers should train staff in their obligations on how they should behave with each other and they should have policies and procedures on how they will deal with any issues of sexual harassment and bullying if they should arise,"he said.
"An employer who takes no action to protect their staff from sexual harassment and other forms of harassment and bullying leaves themselves open to being charged and found guilty of not providing staff with a safe working environment.
"Significant fines and in some cases jailing are available under the relevant legislation in each state and territory."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 31 Oct 19
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 31 Oct 19
