Ensuring safety and respect for women apprentices and trainees
Provide a safe and respectful workplace to help women and gender diverse apprentices and trainees learn and succeed.
Use this guidance and the linked resources to understand your responsibilities and provide a safe and respectful workplace. You must prevent and respond to sexual harassment, hostile workplace behaviour and other gender-based harm.
Prevent sexual harassment, hostile workplace behaviour and gendered violence
Gendered violence is any behaviour that harms or risks someone’s health and safety because of their sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity. This can include sexual harassment, abuse, threats, coercion and other physical or non-physical violence.
Identify and manage physical and psychological risks through regular safety audits and assessments.
Enforce zero-tolerance for sexual harassment, hostile workplace behaviour, bullying, coercion and violence.
Call out unacceptable behaviour early to prevent harm.
Regularly review policies and include them in onboarding, training and team discussions.
Talk to staff about what counts as inappropriate behaviour.
Regularly talk to staff about workplace safety (e.g. posters, toolbox talks).
Ban offensive and explicit content in the workplace or rest areas. This includes displayed images, conversations and the sharing of explicit videos or images on smart phones.
Encourage staff to speak up and act on inappropriate behaviour.
Psychosocial hazards like bullying, harassment, conflict, isolation or lack of support are work-related factors that can lead to anxiety, stress or burnout. Employers have a legal obligation to manage these risks.
Conduct regular risk assessments which include psychosocial hazards and create an action plan.
Talk to apprentices or trainees to understand their experiences and any risks to their safety.
Look for signs of isolation, exclusion or lack of support, especially in male-dominated workplaces.
If there has been a reportable incident, review risk controls afterwards.
This resource supports women and may support gender diverse and non-binary people.
Employer guidance: How to support women apprentices and trainees
Not sure where to start? The guidance below brings together employer responsibilities, practical steps and links to further resources to help you create a safe, fair and respectful workplace for women apprentices and trainees.
