A sector-led initiative to make everyday respect the standard across workplaces and professional interactions.
What it is
Everyday Respect Starts With Us is an industry initiative led by the Champions of Change Insurance Group.
It sets a clear, practical standard for respectful behaviour — within organisations and across clients, suppliers, contractors and industry forums.
The initiative brings together two complementary frameworks:
“Everyday Respect Starts With Us gives practical effect to the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act. By equipping people to speak up early and embedding respectful expectations into systems and interactions, it supports industries to move from compliance to genuine cultural change.”
— Dr Anna Cody, Sex Discrimination Commissioner
Why this matters now
Respect at work is both a legal obligation and a leadership responsibility.
The positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) strengthened work health and safety laws requiring organisations to prevent harassment, discrimination and psychosocial harm.
At the same time, community expectations of leadership have shifted. Silence or inconsistency carries reputational and cultural risk.
Everyday Respect Starts With Us provides practical tools to:
- Prevent harm before it escalates
- Support safe speaking up
- Reinforce consistent standards across organisational boundaries
- Strengthen trust and accountability
Who is leading this work?
Developed by the Champions of Change Coalition Insurance Group, with participating CEOs from Allianz, Hollard, IAG, QBE, Steadfast, Suncorp, TAL and Zurich.
All organisations are invited to adopt and adapt the tools (with attribution).
Respect starts with each of us. It becomes powerful when we act together.