FOCUSED on Everyday Respect

30 October 2024

One of the key focus areas of Champions of Change Coalition is to support Members in creating workplaces that are safe, inclusive, and respectful, aligning with contemporary expectations around behaviour and respect at work.

With the introduction of positive duty legislation, the need for proactive strategies to prevent discrimination, harassment, and everyday disrespect in the workplace has become even more critical.

While organisations have long focused on physical safety, managing psychosocial safety—the emotional and mental wellbeing of employees—is now equally important for Boards and Executive teams. However, strategies and systems for addressing these issues remain immature, further complicated by differing perspectives on what respectful behaviour looks like in the workplace.

FOCUSED on Everyday Respect equips leaders with practical tools to meet these challenges and foster environments where all employees feel respected and valued.

• RESOURCE: FOCUSED on Everyday Respect 
• MEDIA RELEASE: Focusing on respect to ensure psychosocial safety and inclusion in the workplace

This resource is the result of extensive listening and learning by our Members, drawing on insights gathered from a wide range of sectors. FOCUSED on Everyday Respect helps organisations address the hidden harms of everyday disrespect—such as unconscious bias, exclusion, and subtle harassment—that undermine trust and teamwork.

It offers practical resources, including:

• A contemporary articulation of respectful behaviours developed based on employee feedback. 
• Steps to integrate respect into leadership practices, policies, and business systems. 
• A Listen and Learn Guide for leaders to facilitate discussions on workplace respect. 
• Tools to support employees in calling out disrespectful behaviour in the moment. 

These tools have been shaped by the experiences and feedback of Champions of Change Members and their teams, alongside expert input from the Australian Human Rights Commission, Equality Australia, Our Watch, the Disability Leadership Institute, and Maria Dimopoulos.

For all media inquiries and to request an interview with our founder Elizabeth Broderick AO, CEO Annika Freyer or other members of our board or team, please contact us.