Work Well Respect Series
About the Work Well Respect Network (WWRN)
In 2022, the Victorian Government took action based on the 13 recommendations from the Ministerial Taskforce on Workplace Sexual Harassment. WorkSafe Victoria is leading the implementation to address and prevent gendered violence in the workplace, including expanding the WorkWell Respect Network.
The Work Well Respect Network (WWRN) helps workplaces build a safer environment for all employees. Considering the needs of workers with intersectional identities, the WWRN supports workplaces in their ability to prevent and respond to gendered violence.
The WWRN is made up of two industry partners, content matter experts and design experts. Supported by WorkSafe Victoria, and the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victorian University, the WWRN industry partners host sub-network forums that represent their specific industries as well as working together to create cross industry forums. Learn more:
Objectives of WWRN
- Influence workplace leaders to address the cultural and systemic factors that contribute to work-related gendered violence, including sexual harassment, in their organisations or industries.
- Foster industry-wide discussions to encourage innovative and best-practice approaches for preventing and responding to work-related gendered violence, including sexual harassment.
- Increase awareness and understanding of work-related gendered violence, including sexual harassment, as an occupational health and safety issue.
- Ensure that workplaces are knowledgeable about and committed to fulfilling their responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in preventing and handling work-related gendered violence, including sexual harassment.
The Team Behind Work Well Respect Network
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Sir Zelman Cowen Centre (SZCC) The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre (SZCC) at Victoria University specialises in law and cultural diversity. Our projects include training for the Australian and international legal sector, education programs for people seeking a better understanding of law, governance and regulation, and community engagement initiatives which promote multiculturalism, social cohesion and equality of opportunity.
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Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Victoria Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Victoria has been at the forefront of providing industry leadership, advocating on behalf of its members, and championing best practices in hotel management.
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Women 4 STEM Women 4 STEM is a not-for-profit organisation that operates to increase the entry, retention, and progress of women in the STEM industries. Women 4 STEM’s mission is to provide a range of practical and sustainable initiatives that will promote urban and regional women’s entry, retention, and progression in tech.
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2024 Forums
Forum 1:
What is work-related gendered violence? What drives gendered violence? How does intersectionality impact gendered violence? Did you know that gendered violence is an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) matter? What obligations do organisations have in addressing gendered violence in the workplace? What is the role of leaders?
Forum 2:
What is the importance of primary prevention? How can you take a whole of organisation approach, and what are practical strategies for creating safer workplaces? What is your responsibility in preventing work-related gendered violence? How critical is the role of leaders? What is WorkSafe’s risk management framework and how can you apply it within your workplace? How do you consider prevention strategies from an intersectional lens? How do you create prevention strategies that support individuals facing both gender and race discrimination?
Forum 3:
What hospitality & STEM industries have in common? Why are Women 4 STEM & Australian Hotels Association (AHA) passionate about addressing gendered violence in the workplace? Are there strategies leaders in both industries can explore? What are the different ways gendered violence is experienced based on identity? What is the role of power in addressing workplace sexual harassment and gendered violence especially from an intersectional lens?
Forum 4:
How can you identify, respond to, and report work-related gendered violence? What are your legal obligations? What is Positive Duty? What are your OHS requirements? What support mechanisms are available? What internal and external reporting options can you explore? What does it mean to take a Trauma-Informed and Person-Centered Approach?
2025 Events
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Speakers
Dr. Emma Fulu
Dr Emma Fulu is a researcher, feminist activist and one of the world’s leading experts on violence against women. She is the founder and co-CEO of the Equality Institute, a global feminist agency working to advance gender equality and end violence against women and girls. She is also the co-founder of VOICE, a non-profit organisation that partners with women and girls in conflict and disaster settings to amplify their solutions to violence in their own communities. Emma is Co-Chair of the Gender and Rights Advisory Panel of the World Health Organization, and a member of the Global Women’s Institute Leadership Council.
Khayshie Tilak Ramesh
Khayshie is a lawyer by trade but a storyteller and educator by heart. She is a well-respected community leader and trusted advisor with almost 10 years of strategy and governance experience across various sectors. She proudly served two consecutive terms as the Multicultural Youth Commissioner of Victoria and has represented Australia’s gender equality priorities globally at the United Nations on multiple occasions.
Nazley Hannie
Nazley brings over 20 years of experience in audit, ethics and compliance, risk management, and governance. She has worked with renowned organizations such as Virgin Australia, Newcrest Mining, Viva Energy, Scania, and Nestlé. Nazley played a key role in the delivery of the inaugural Respect@Work Program at Newcrest Mining, where she also mentored and enhanced the capabilities of compliance champions across Australia, PNG and the Americas.
Rachel Athaide
Rachel Athaide is a Managing Lawyer/Program Manager of Westjustice’s Employment and Equality Law Program. She leads the delivery and expansion of Westjustice’s first specialist service focused on workplace discrimination and sexual harassment. Rachel has previously worked as a lawyer with Victoria Legal Aid, Northern Territory Legal Aid, and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service.
Learn More at The Equality Institute
Want online education that is inspiring and drives real change? The Equality Institute offers cutting-edge online education to help organisations achieve gender equality and create more safe and equitable workplaces.
Resources
Want online education that is inspiring and drives real change? The Equality Institute offers cutting-edge online education to help organisations achieve gender equality and create more safe and equitable workplaces.