Do law firms need a ‘Valentine’s Day clause’ in their sexual harassment policy?

In an age of sociocultural change, and against the backdrop of employers’ positive duties to prevent sexual harassment and other forms of misconduct, preparing for workplace claims made against the backdrop of cultural traditions like Valentine’s Day may not be so far-fetched. In this episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back Swaab partner Michael Byrnes to reflect on a recent blog he posted about the workplace relations issues inherent with Valentine’s Day, the potential for workplace claims to arise in the wake of such cultural traditions, and whether employers need clauses in their policy for sexual harassment to account for such calendar dates. Byrnes also delves into employers’ positive duty to prevent sexual harassment, changing social and cultural expectations for workplace behaviour, whether the inclusion of new clauses risks infantilising employees, catering to a multi-generational workforce, and what will constitute best practice for employers, HR professionals, and employment lawyers. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (The Lawyers Weekly Show) and by following Lawyers Weekly on social media: Facebook, X and LinkedIn. If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you’d like to lend your voice to the show, email editor@lawyersweekly.com.au .................................................................................................... 📰 Lawyers Weekly is Australia’s leading source for independent news, in-depth analysis, and expert commentary on the legal profession. Published daily and reaching over 110,000 legal practitioners across the country, our coverage goes beyond headlines — shaping and progressing the business of law in Australia. Like this video? Don’t forget to subscribe to Lawyers Weekly on YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjFyUY4niT1nPdLeWaRPphQ 📖 Subscribe to our monthly magazine – the bible for legal business in Australia: 👉 http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/subscription-options 🎵 Follow us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bZtDcWPwv7M3M7cch41jp?si=3f960b0546b941b8 🌐 Visit us online for the latest legal news and updates: 👉 http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au 🔗 Connect with us on social media: X/Twitter: http://twitter.com/lawyersweekly Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lawyersweekly LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/lawyers-weekly-australia