Prevention of Discrimination & Sexual Harassment

Serco Sodexo Defence Services (SSDS) is a values based organisation that relies on its people to give their best and deliver effective business results. Consistent with our values, our people have the right to expect a work environment that is free from discrimination and sexual harassment in any form

Any discrimination or sexual harassment is a breach of an employee's right to a discrimination and sexual harassment free workplace. Discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably because of an attribute they have. These attributes are defined in laws that protect people from discrimination in the workplace. Sexual harassment is any behaviour of a sexual nature that is unwelcome, unsolicited and offensive to a person.

It is illegal to discriminate against a person in any way at work or in pre-employment because of a person's attribute. Anti-discrimination legislation defines an attribute as a person's sex (male or female), race, age, gender preference, religious beliefs, political beliefs, family responsibilities, sexual preference, marital status, breast feeding, pregnancy, mental or physical disability or any other attribute as prescribed by legislation. State and Federal laws prohibit treating an employee differently due to the possession of these attributes.

Both the company and the individual who discriminates have a liability. In any complaint to a tribunal, both SSDS and the individual employee who is alleged to have sexually harassed or discriminated against another person will be respondents to the complaint and involved in the tribunal process.

It is illegal to sexually harass another person. Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to:

• Unwelcome comments about a person's sex life
• Sexually offensive staring, leering or gesturing
• Unnecessary familiarity such as deliberately brushing against a person, patting or pinching
• Sexual jokes, remarks or innuendoes directed at another person or in that person's hearing
• Displays of offensive photographs, pictures, reading matter or objects
• Sexual propositions or continual requests for dates
• Demands for sexual favour, accompanied by implied or overt promises for preferred treatment, or threats concerning an individual's employment status
• Unsolicited correspondence including letters and/or emails, obscene telephone calls.

Contact Officers are a network established by SSDS to provide employees with a direct and confidential contact in their workplace should they feel they have been discriminated against or sexually harassed.

Contact Officers can:

• Provide support and empathy to complainants
• Inform employees of the options available to resolve the complaint
• Promote the Company’s policy on the elimination of bullying in the workplace.

Any complaint should be directed to HR who will:

• Treat the complaint seriously
• Treat the complaint with the utmost confidentiality
• Investigate the complaint immediately and thoroughly.

SSDS considers discrimination and sexual harassment of any kind unacceptable behaviour. It will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Any employee found to have breached the company's policies through a fair investigation process and in line with legislation will face immediate and appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Senior Management will decide on action to rectify the complaint and will take steps to prevent it recurring. The most important step in any bullying situation is reporting it as soon as it happens. Employees are encouraged to report any concern to a Contact Officer, Manager or Supervisor.