Read on Twitter
Alot of takes about the 'morality' of the behaviour in the #4corners expose. But the core issue is the culture of workplace sexual abuse and harassment - not the personal 'morality' of the Ministers involved. Hot takes about consenting adults completely ignore this
A systemic workplace culture where bosses - public figures - sleep with their staff and pressure the media not to talk about it is unhealthy and abusive, and unsafe for the staff. That is what #4corners is describing.
My research looks at how workplace sexual harassment is effectively 'administered' as a practice in workplaces, under the radar of our ineffective laws. The literature shows that a culture of downplaying what is happening is one way organisations manage their risk.
Casting workplace sexual harassment as a private problem between two people ignores that it thrives in cultures that shame the less powerful participants in workplace relationships and maximise the price of their complaints.
The culture shown last night by #4corners is well recognised by anyone who has worked in and around Parliament and accepting this kind of silencing, sexualised workplace culture where our laws are made is accepting that our laws are not seriously concerned with fixing it.
This is particularly the case when a Minister accused by #4corners of perpetuating this culture is the Minister currently responsible for overseeing the Government's response to the Respect@Work report.
