The Board of Premier Brands has appointed Mark McInnis as its Chief Executive with a potential pay of $5.2 million. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Mark McInnis quit his job at David Jones last year after a sexual harassment scandal in which Mr McInnes admitted to conduct “unbecoming a Chief Executive”.
No-one suggests that McInnis, who received $1.2 million on quitting his David Jones job, should not be employed. However the decision by Premier Brands to employ him so soon demonstrates a lack of respect for female customers and employees on whom Premier Brands relies.
Many women suffer sexual harassment which affects their confidence and job satisfaction. The 2008 Survey by the Australian Human Rights Commission found that 22% of women had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace in their lifetime.
A further 22% reported unwelcome touching, hugging, cornering or kissing, inappropriate physical contact, actual or attempted rape or assault, sexually suggestive comments or jokes a well as intrusive questions about their private life or physical appearance that made them feel offended.
WEL was pleased to see greater protection against sexual harassment introduced recently with the passing of the Sex and Age Discrimination Legislation Amendment Bill 2010.
However, this appointment and the high number of incidences of harassment that still occur shows there is still a long way to go before Australian workplaces are free of this behaviour.
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