Sexual Harassment Prevention: Why Every Business Must Act Now
Preventing sexual harassment at work is no longer optional, it’s a legal and moral obligation. A recent court ruling against Indimax Production Pty Ltd revealed how the absence of workplace conduct policies and leadership accountability led to severe psychological harm and heavy penalties. This case underscores why every business must take proactive steps to address psychosocial hazards and meet its WHS compliance duties.
What Went Wrong at Indimax
The court found Indimax guilty of failing to provide a safe workplace after an employee reported ongoing sexual harassment by the company’s sole director. The investigation revealed multiple failures:
No written sexual harassment or workplace conduct policies
No training for staff or managers
No reporting mechanism for employees to raise concerns
No leadership accountability, with the director denying the allegations despite strong evidence
As a result:
The company was fined $40,000
The director was personally fined $15,000
The court found that the harassment created significant mental health risks, including distress and suicidal thoughts. Because the behaviour continued for months, the breaches were classified as moderate to serious under workplace safety laws.
Why This Matters for Your Business
The Indimax case is not isolated. Regulators across Australia are increasing enforcement around psychosocial safety and WHS compliance. Harassment, bullying, and psychological harm are now treated as serious safety breaches, just like falls or chemical exposure.
If your business does not have:
Clear harassment and behaviour policies
Structured staff and leadership training
Confidential reporting mechanisms
Strong leadership accountability frameworks
you are exposed to legal action, heavy fines, and long-term reputational damage.
How Anzen Safety & Training Helps
At Anzen Safety & Training, we partner with businesses across Australia to help them meet their work health and safety (WHS) compliance obligations and build safer, more respectful workplaces.
We deliver practical, tailored safety systems and programs designed to prevent incidents like the Indimax case, protect your employees, and ensure your business meets its legal and ethical responsibilities.
Our services include:
Safety Management Programs – compliant policies and procedures for harassment, bullying, and psychosocial risks.
Psychosocial Safety Programs – systems to manage workplace stress, mental health, and misconduct.
Safety Leadership Training – empowering directors and managers to meet due diligence obligations.
WHS Audits – independent reviews to identify compliance gaps.
Risk Assessments – evaluating psychosocial and physical hazards.
Staff Training Programs – practical, plain-language sessions for all employees.
Incident Reporting Systems – confidential tools for staff to report misconduct safely.
The Takeaway
Indimax’s $55,000 mistake was preventable. With the right workplace safety systems, the harassment could have been addressed early or avoided completely.
Under Australia’s Work Health and Safety laws, psychosocial hazards such as bullying, harassment, and stress are treated with the same seriousness as physical risks. Businesses must implement written policies, deliver regular staff and leadership training, and maintain confidential reporting mechanisms. By creating a respectful and psychologically safe workplace, employers not only meet their WHS obligations but also protect their people and reputation.
If you’re a business owner or manager, ask yourself:
Do we have the policies, training, and systems to protect our team and meet our WHS obligations?
If your answer is “no” or even “not sure,” it’s time to take action.
Book Your Free 30-Minute Safety Health Check
Protect your people and your business. Book your free, no-obligation 30-minute Safety Health Check with Anzen Safety & Training today.
Phone: 1300 269 361
Email: info@anzen.com.au
We’ll help you identify compliance gaps, strengthen your safety systems, and safeguard your workplace from costly legal risks.
