Almost 1 in 2 hospo workers will experience harassment. This new platform offers solution

Sydney hospitality precinct YCK Laneways has become the first to adopt SafeSpace@elevate, a new independent and anonymous reporting and support service. To begin with, the platform will be incorporated into 16 of the precinct's venues.

“We are excited to partner with SafeSpace@elevate and offer this initiative to our members, thanks to the ongoing support of our partner, Bacardi Martini Australia,” said Karl Schlothauer, Vice President.

“What drew YCK to SafeSpace@elevate is not only its complete independence but also the expert support offered to all users of the platform. This expertise will lead to better outcomes for both staff and the business alike.”

Launched this year, SafeSpace@elevate is self-described as being Australia’s first independent and trauma-informed reporting and support platform that is person-centred, trauma-informed, culturally safe and guided by the core principle of psychological safety. The new platform was originally developed by leading human rights lawyer and Founder of Elevate Consulting Partners, Prabha Nandagopal.

“It’s a positive sign to see YCK Laneways leading the way on this critical issue by proactively empowering their workers to speak up,” he said.

“Now is the time for the rest of the industry to come together to make respect, safety and inclusion the norm and collectively strive for industry-wide change.”

SafeSpace@elevate’s launch coincides with a time in which Sydney’s leading hospitality venues and groups are collectively striving to improve after serious allegations concerning sexual misconduct were alleged against Swillhouse and Merivale venues.

It also follows one year behind the UWU conducted a survey into sexual harassment in Australia's hospitality industry that found 47% of its more than 860 respondents had experienced sexual harrassment at work, far exceeding the 40% average across all industries in Australia. Out of this, 66% of sexual harassment victims in hospitality did not report the incident; and 58% said the perpetrator was in a supervisor position.

Prabha Nandagopal believes the “fast paced and high pressure nature of the hospitality industry” means that various forms of harmful workplace behaviour, including sexual assault, are more likely “to slip through the cracks or go unreported.

“In addition, the composition of the workforce, where leadership teams, typically male-dominated, are in charge of managing teams that often include vulnerable groups such as young workers, migrants and refugees makes the industry more susceptible to damaging outcomes due to power imbalances, culturally unsafe practices, discrimination or unconscious bias.

“To address the unique challenges of the industry, we worked collaboratively to ensure venues managed by YCK Laneways successfully and seamlessly implement the right infrastructure for reporting and response mechanisms, and set clear policies and processes around harassment.”

Another factor encouraging the need for an external platform to facilitate workplace harassment responses is the current low confidence in workplace responses. In Australian workplaces, only 54% of women are very confident of an appropriate response to harrassment in the workplace, while only 39% of employees are aware of new requirements to prevent workplace sexual harassment.

This week’s announcement follows on from YCK Laneways becoming Australia’s first accredited Purple Flag district in February last year.

Purple Flag districts around the world promise to be safe, accessible, and vibrant places to visit day or night. The Purple Flag symbol signifies that the destination is an inclusive, diverse and safe place to go.

This week, Karl Schlothauer said that, “as Australia’s first Purple Flag-accredited precinct, it is essential for us to provide a safe, diverse, and inclusive experience for our guests visiting the precinct.

“Equally important is our commitment to extending this support to the people who work within it.”