Are work experience participants protected against sex discrimination or sexual harassment?. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hewitt, Anne; Owens, Rosemary; Stewart, Andrew; Howe, Joanna
• Is Part Of: Alternative law journal. Volume 46:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 119
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Sexual harassment -- sex discrimination -- employment rights -- discrimination, internships, work experience; Law -- Australia -- Periodicals; Law -- Social aspects -- Australia -- Periodicals; Law reform -- Australia -- Periodicals; 349.94
• DOI: 10.1177/1037969X211002853
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1037-969X

Abstract

More and more young Australians are undertaking periods of work experience as a part of their study or independently to facilitate their transition into employment. They are often subject to a significant power disparity compared to others in the workplace, and need the placement to finish a course, and/or to get practical experience, connections and industry references. This makes them vulnerable, including to sexual harassment and sex discrimination. However, whether prohibitions of such conduct apply to them is a complex question, which this article explores.