• Position, reach and meaning

  Who and where it applies, including online and at events, and what the policy means by harassment, with a blank to name more.

• Examples and what is not harassment

  A list of unacceptable behaviours, and a statement that fair management of work is not harassment.

• Reporting in any order

  Options for telling the person, telling a named contact or writing to someone, with an alternative if the person would rather not go to their own manager.

• How a report is handled

  Acknowledgment time, agreeing next steps, interim measures, who looks into it, being accompanied, and confidentiality and records.

• Outcomes, support and review

  What can follow, what happens if a report is not upheld, support for both sides, a way to ask for review, and training and review dates.

A harassment policy states an organisation's position on harassment, bullying and victimisation and how a concern is handled. It says who it applies to and where, what is meant by harassment, gives examples of what is not acceptable, says what is not harassment, and sets out what to do if it happens to you or you see it, how a report is looked into, confidentiality, outcomes, support and a route if someone is not satisfied.

This blank form is completed by the employer in its own words. It does not make an employer compliant with any anti-discrimination or harassment law, and does not decide what conduct is unlawful, which differs by place and by the facts. A policy only helps if it is followed and described accurately, so build your process around what you will really do and have a lawyer review it.

Not sure? Talk to an attorney about your situation first.

These are separate documents, for different jobs.

• Employee handbooksThe policies and expectations for your staff, in one place.View document
• Workplace policiesSet out how your workplace runs on a specific issue.View document
• Disciplinary noticesRecord a disciplinary issue with an employee.View document
• Workplace dispute supportHelp resolving a dispute at work.View document

• A small company adopts its first policy
• An employer adds online conduct and events
• A manager wants to know how to receive a report

• Employment agreementsSet out pay, role and terms for an employee.View document
• Offer lettersMake a job offer in writing, with its key terms.View document
• Employee handbooksThe policies and expectations for your staff, in one place.View document
• Workplace policiesSet out how your workplace runs on a specific issue.View document