S09 E09: An Assault on Office Decorum

Season 09 Episode 09: An Assault on Office Decorum WARNING: This episode refers to sexual escapades that may offend some people – we advise listener discretion. The crew, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, discuss a confronting case, Evan Ashley Solstace v Metley Toleda Ltd [2023] FCA 456, which made headlines: ‘Creepy office work is slammed by judge for filthy acts at work.’ The judge called the situation, “Shambolic!” “Great word,” reflects Trajce. Sara explains some of the findings resulting from Alan’s case research, “This worker was found to engage in purposeful lewd workplace behaviours. He would fart in the hallway, burp aloud, go to the loo with the hallway door open, and solicit sex talk among colleagues while openly sharing stories about his polyamorous and furry lifestyle.” While admitting the inappropriateness of the workplace behaviours, Alan struggles with the connection of these behaviours to sexual harassment industrial law, which tethers Trajce and Sara to good debate on this topic. Sara sets her boundaries, “Hey,” she tells the guys, “We are great friends – but hear me now: I do not ever wish to know the explicit details of your bedroom gymnastics!” Tune in for more on this case and other discussions on workplace taboos. For more on psychosocial risk management, refer to PRAiSETM (Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Integrated Solutions for Employers) – Certified Assessor and Manager programs – and PRA, the new task-based Psychosocial Risk Analyser feature within the ErgoAnalyst software platform. These tools help teams visualise, quantify, qualify, and respond to both contextualised physical and psychosocial risks, merging technical rigour with empathy-driven co-design.