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National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces - limited waiver of confidentiality obligations

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Request to employers - limited waiver of confidentiality obligations

Former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, is calling on Australian employers to issue a limited waiver of confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for the purpose of allowing people to make a confidential submission to the National Inquiry into Workplace Sexual Harassment.  NDA arrangements are commonly entered into as part of a settlement of a sexual harassment claim. They generally prohibit all parties to the agreement from talking about the claim to anyone. They are found across industries and employers big and small. Commissioner Jenkins is asking employers to show their public support for a waiver as soon as possible, in order to give people time to make their submissions. Organisations issuing a limited waiver will be listed on the Commission’s website.

Read the media release here.

Read the letter to employers below:

Letter to Employers - NDA and National Inquiry.pdf (93.88 KB)

Letter to Employers - NDA and National Inquiry.docx (92.33 KB)

Organisations that have issued a limited waiver of confidentiality obligations

The following organisations have issued a limited waiver of confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure agreements or other agreements for the purpose of allowing people to make a confidential submission to the National Inquiry. This waiver only extends to submissions made to this National Inquiry conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Individuals making a submission on matters covered by a relevant agreement may also need to seek the consent of others who may be named as part of their submission.

Where an organisation has issued a waiver that includes additional terms or conditions, please click on the organisation to read the wording of the waiver.

Submissions should use pseudonyms and not real names (of individuals or employers).

The deadline for making submissions to the National Inquiry has been extended to 28 February 2019. We encourage other organisations to support the National Inquiry by issuing a limited waiver as soon as possible to give people enough time to contribute. 

Please contact the National Inquiry team if you have any questions on (02) 9284 9750 or at SH.Inquiry@humanrights.gov.au 

  • ANZ

    Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ) will provide a limited waiver of confidentiality obligations in any non-disclosure agreements or other kinds of agreements so that people may make a confidential submission to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment on the following basis:

    • The submissions themselves, and any material published or communicated by or in relation to the National Inquiry, must not identify or contain the names of any persons or organisations that were involved in the matter (such as the identity of complainant, the respondent(s), any witnesses, ANZ and its related parties).
    • The limited waiver only applies to submissions in relation to sexual harassment and does not apply to other potential parts of the person’s complaint (such as allegations of other forms of inappropriate behaviour).
    • The person making the submission must first obtain the consent, to the limited waiver, of any third parties to the relevant non-disclosure agreement or other kind of agreement.
  • Australian Capital Territory Public Service (ACT)

    The Australian Capital Territory Public Service wishes to support employees to make a submission to the National Inquiry. The Australian Capital Territory Public Service also recognises that non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) may apply to other individuals. In this context, the ACT Public Service supports the publication of a limited waiver in the following terms.

    Where a formal complaint of sexual harassment has previously been made against the Australian Capital Territory (or any of its current or former employees, officers, contractors or agents) by an individual (whether as a member of the public or as a current or former employee, officer, contractor or agent) which resulted in an agreement (howsoever described) between the Australian Capital Territory (the Territory) and the individual which includes obligations of non-disclosure and confidentiality (the Agreement), the Territory will provide a limited waiver of the non-disclosure and confidentiality obligations in the Agreement so that the individual may make a confidential submission to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment, on the following basis:

    • Where the Agreement has a third party as a named party to the Agreement, the individual making the submission to the National Inquiry, must maintain the non-disclosure and confidentiality obligations the individual owes to the named third party under the relevant Agreement (unless the individual has also secured in writing a waiver from that third person) as this limited waiver by the Territory does not constitute a waiver by the third party;
    • The limited waiver is only for the part of a complaint which relates to sexual harassment;
    • The limited waiver allows the individual to disclose the nature of the complaint and the process which was followed by the Territory in handling the complaint including the outcome of the complaint;
    • The limited waiver does not allow the individual to name or disclose in their submission the identity of persons whom were involved, including but not limited to the complainants, respondents, witnesses, any of the Territory's current or former employees, officers, contractors or agents, or any other information that would identify the parties or persons whom were involved (or would allow their identity to be reasonably ascertained).

    This limited waiver does not affect or waive any obligations or duties of the individual as to confidentiality or secrecy, including to not disclose any confidential or secret information obtained in the course of public sector employment, which arise under legislation including but not limited to, the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (ACT) or the Information Privacy Act 2014 (ACT).

  • Australian National University (ANU)
    • The Australian National University will not enforce confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure or other agreements, which would otherwise prevent people from making a submission to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces. This waiver only extends to submissions made to this National Inquiry conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Individuals making a submission on matters covered by a relevant agreement may also need to seek consent of others who may be named as part of their submission.
  • BHP

    As part of BHPs work to address the issue of workplace sexual harassment in Australia, BHP intends to raise awareness of the inquiry both on its website and to current employees and contractors. We will also encourage our people to participate by making a confidential submission. BHP will not enforce any confidentiality obligations in relation to such submissions.

  • CBH Group

    Clayton Utz

    Clemenger BBDO (Sydney and Melbourne)

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) will not enforce confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure or other agreements, which would otherwise prevent people from making a submission to the National Inquiry.

    CBA requests that any submissions that are publicly available (or become publicly available) or any report published by the Commission will not contain any identifying information about CBA, the complainant, and any individual respondent or other entities or persons involved in the relevant matter.

    If an individual who wishes to make a submission to the National Inquiry is party to a deed or other agreement with CBA and another named party, that individual should consider seeking the consent of other named party before making their submission to the National Inquiry.

  • Ernst & Young

    Where a formal complaint of sexual harassment has been made by a current or former Ernst & Young (EY) Partner, employee or contractor, EY agrees to a limited waiver of agreed confidentiality obligations, only for the purpose of submissions made to the National Inquiry conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission as follows;

    • The limited waiver is only for the part of a complaint which relates to sexual harassment;
    • The limited waiver allows the person to disclose the nature of the complaint and the process which was followed by EY in handling the complaint including the outcome of the complaint;
    • The limited waiver does not allow the person to disclose which individuals were involved, including but not limited to the complainants, respondents, witnesses, EY or its affiliated entities, contractors to EY, any service line, office location, or other identifying information that would identify the parties; and
    • Any person making submissions that is covered by a relevant agreement, is encouraged to contact EY to assist in facilitating any request for consent from a third party named, affected or able to be identified by the submission.
  • Federation University Australia

    Federation University Australia supports the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces being conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

    To allow all individuals the freedom to make a submission to the National Inquiry, Federation University will not enforce confidentiality obligations in any agreement that would prevent an individual from doing so. This waiver only applies to submissions made to this National Inquiry.

  • DDB Australia

    Georgiou Group Pty Ltd

    Herbert Smith Freehills

    Interpublic Group Australia agencies, including:

    • McCann Worldgroup Pty Ltd
    • Mediabrands Australia Pty Ltd
    • 303MullenLowe Group Pty Ltd
    • MullenLowe Profero Pty Ltd
    • CMGRP Pty Limited
    • R/GA Media Group Pty Ltd

     

    KPMG

    The waiver has the following conditions:

    • It only applies to submissions made to the Inquiry;
    • It only applies to those circumstances of a complaint or dispute that concern allegations of sexual harassment. It does not apply to any other matters or circumstances, including matters relating to employment with KPMG or the business of KPMG or its clients; and
    • Any submission made to the Inquiry must not contain the names or other identifying information of any individuals or entities, including KPMG.
  • M&C Saatchi

    Macquarie University

    Medibank

    Murdoch University

    Murdoch University is committed to the elimination of sexual harassment in line with the "Respect. Now. Always." campaign in place at the University. Murdoch University will not enforce confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure or other agreements, which would otherwise prevent people from making a submission to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces. This waiver only extends to submissions made to the National Inquiry conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission. This waiver only applies to those circumstances of a complaint or dispute that concern allegations of sexual harassment and it does not apply to any other matters or circumstances, including matters relating to employment with Murdoch University. Individuals making a submission on matters covered by a relevant agreement may also need to seek consent of others who may be named as part of their submission.

  • News Corp Australia

    News Corp Australia will not enforce confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure or other agreements, which would otherwise prevent people from making a submission to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces on the following basis:

    • The submissions themselves, and any material published or communicated by or in relation to the National Inquiry, will not identify or contain the names of any persons or organisations that were involved in the matter (such as the identity of complainant, the respondent(s), any witnesses, News Corp Australia and its related parties).
    • The limited waiver only applies to submissions in relation to sexual harassment and does not apply to other potential parts of the person’s complaint.
    • The person making the submission will first obtain the consent, to the limited waiver, of any third parties to the relevant non-disclosure agreement or other kind of agreement.
  • Northern Territory Public Service

    The Northern Territory Public Sector will not enforce confidentiality obligations in any nondisclosure or other agreements, which would otherwise prevent employees or former employees from making a confidential submission to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces. This waiver only extends to confidential submissions made about a sexual harassment matter or incident to the National Inquiry conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Individuals making a submission on matters covered by any relevant agreement may also need to seek the consent of others who may be named as part of the submission.

  • NSW Government Sector

    [Department/Agency] will not enforce confidentiality obligations in any non-disclosure or other agreements, which would otherwise prevent people from making a confidential submission to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces. This waiver only extends to confidential submissions made about a sexual harassment matter or incident to the National Inquiry conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Individuals making a submission on matters covered by any relevant agreement may also need to seek the consent of others who may be named as part of their submission.

    This statement does not affect any statutory duties of confidentiality or secrecy, or other confidentiality obligations which may apply to a person making a submission, including in relation to not disclosing any confidential or secret information obtained in the course of government employment.

  • Publicis Groupe Australia

    Publicis Groupe Australia fully supports the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces (the Inquiry) currently being conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission). As part of this support, Publicis Groupe Australia is prepared to provide a limited waiver of confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure or other agreements to which it is a party in order to facilitate submissions to the Inquiry.

    In addition, the terms of this waiver will be limited in at least the following respects:

    1. The waiver will only apply to submissions to the Commission for the purpose of the Inquiry and not to any other statement or disclosure.
    2. Any submissions to the Commission must be stated to be a confidential submission.
    3. Any submissions and any material published in relation to the Inquiry, must not identify or contain the names of any persons or organizations that were involved in the matter.
  • Queensland Public Service

    For the purpose of making submissions to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) in relation to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces (National Inquiry), the State of Queensland (including its current and former employees, servants and agents) will not enforce confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure or other agreements (NDAs) with current and former State employees, other than in relation to the following information:

    1. The names and details of the parties to the deed;
    2. The names and details of any witnesses to the alleged sexual harassment;
    3. Any information that could identify the parties or the witnesses;
    4. The name of the employer of the alleged perpetrator and alleged victim; and
    5. Any information that could identify the employer of the alleged perpetrator and alleged victim. For example, if the employer is the Department of Education, and the alleged sexual harassment occurred at a school, any disclosure should not include a reference to the name of the school.

    Just to be clear, the State of Queensland (including its current and former employees, servants and agents) does not waive the confidentiality obligations in NDAs in relation to information identified in paragraphs (a) to (e) above, and it is not to be disclosed. This limited waiver only extends to written and oral submissions made to AHRC as part of the National Inquiry on or before 31 January 2019, or later date announced by the AHRC as the closing date for submissions to the Inquiry.

  • OMD Australia

    Rio Tinto

    Telstra

    Where complaints of sexual harassment have been made by a Telstra employee or a former employee, Telstra will agree to a limited waiver of agreed confidentiality obligations:

    • In relation to submissions made to the National Inquiry conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission; 
    • Relating only to those parts of a complaint that are about sexual harassment (note: this means that the waiver would not extend to complaints that are not about sexual harassment, for example other grounds of discrimination);
    • Subject to the submission not containing the names of any individuals involved, including complainants, respondents, witnesses, Telstra or its subsidiaries, contractors to Telstra, any business unit specific information, or other identifying information; and
    • Consent being obtained from any third parties to an agreement before a submission is made, if the complainant is aware that terms regarding confidentiality have been agreed with other parties (note: a complainant may at their own discretion wish to seek Telstra’s assistance in helping to make contact with other parties to seek their consent. Telstra is unable to guarantee that other parties will give their consent).
  • Town Square

    University of Newcastle

    University of the Sunshine Coast

    University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) will provide a limited waiver of confidentiality obligations in any non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) or other kinds of agreements so that people may make a confidential submission to the National Inquiry on the following basis:

    • The submissions themselves, and any material published or communicated by or in relation to the National Inquiry, must not identify or contain the names of any persons or organisations that were involved in the matter (such as the identity of complainant, the respondent(s), any witnesses, USC and its related parties).
    • The limited waiver only applies to submissions in relation to sexual harassment and does not apply to other potential parts of the person's complaint (such as allegations of other forms of inappropriate behaviour).
    • The person making the submission must first obtain the consent, to the limited waiver, of any third parties to the relevant NDA or other kind of agreement.
  • VicHealth

    Victorian Public Service

    The State of Victoria will not enforce confidentiality obligations in any non-disclosure or other agreements, which would otherwise prevent people from making a confidential submission to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces (National Inquiry). This waiver only extends to confidential submissions made about a sexual harassment matter or incident to the National Inquiry conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Individuals making a submission on matters covered by any relevant agreement may also need to seek the consent of any party (other than the State of Victoria) who may be named as part of their submission. If consent is not able to be obtained, subject to the terms of the relevant agreement, an individual wishing to make a submission could consider using a non-identifying pseudonym and not including information that may or could lead to identification of parties. This waiver does not affect any other obligation in respect of confidential or secret information which may apply to a person making a submission, such as an obligation not to disclose confidential information obtained during employment with the State of Victoria.

  • Water Corporation

    Western Australian Museum

    Western Power
  • Western Sydney University

    Western Sydney University will not enforce confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure or other agreements that would otherwise prevent people from making a submission to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces. This waiver only extends to confidential submissions made to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Individuals making a submission on matters covered by a relevant agreement may also need to seek the consent of others who may be named as part of their submission.

  • WPP AUNZ

    Westpac

    Westpac Group will not enforce confidentiality obligations in non-disclosure or other agreements, which would otherwise prevent people from making a submission to the National Inquiry on the following basis:

    • The submissions themselves, and any material published or communicated by or in relation to the National Inquiry, will not identify or contain the names of any persons or organisations that were involved in the matter (such as the identity of complainant, the respondent(s), any witnesses, Westpac Group and its related parties).
    • The limited waiver only applies to submissions in relation to sexual harassment and does not apply to other potential parts of the person’s complaint.
    • The person making the submission will first obtain the consent, to the limited waiver, of any third parties to the relevant non-disclosure agreement or other kind of agreement.