Services.

At Elevate Consulting, we are dedicated to forging workplaces and communities of safety, respect and inclusion. Our comprehensive services are strategically designed to assist businesses and organisations to lead the way in workplace culture. From assistance in meeting legislative obligations, to workforce training and education, to project management and beyond, our services can support organisations of any size to thrive.

Safe, respectful & inclusive workplaces – a new positive duty

The problem

Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected when they are at work. Despite this, 1 in 3 people have been sexually harassed at work. Sexual harassment is pervasive in Australian workplaces: no industry or business is immune. Even if your organisation receives no or few complaints, that does not mean harmful behaviour is not occurring. In fact, a lack of reporting could be a red flag: it can indicate a culture where workers feel uncomfortable reporting incidents or raising concerns.

A new positive duty

Since December 2022, most businesses and organisations, regardless of size, in Australia have a positive duty to eliminate sexual harassment and sex discrimination under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth). From 12 December 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission will commence monitoring compliance and enforcing the positive duty.

The law requires that employers and PCBUs take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate the following unlawful behaviours under the Sex Discrimination Act:

  • sexual harassment;

  • sex discrimination;

  • sex-based harassment;

  • hostile work environments; and

  • victimisation

This represents a seismic shift towards taking proactive action to prevent harmful behaviours in the workplace, rather than responding after the harm has already occurred.

Beyond legislative compliance, we believe the positive duty is an opportunity for businesses to strengthen their current systems, policies and practices and foster a workplace culture where everyone thrives. However, we also understand that, for many workplaces, the implications of the positive duty may be daunting. The potential for change is invaluable, but seizing the opportunity is no small task.

How can we help?

The Elevate team are the leading experts nationally on the positive duty to eliminate sexual harassment and sex discrimination. We were involved with the development of the positive duty from inception through to leading the development of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s guidance material. In addition, our founder established the compliance and enforcement team at the Australian Human Rights Commission. We have a unique and sophisticated understanding of effective measures businesses and organisations can take to meet their obligations.

We support clients by working collaboratively to develop bespoke, impactful strategies unique to their workforce context to eliminate harmful behaviours.

We understand that no two businesses are the same and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to prevention. We listen deeply and walk alongside our clients to develop a nuanced, end-to-end framework to foster safe, respectful and inclusive cultures that is evidence-based and tailored for their workforce.

Read more about our positive duty services here and read about our reporting platform Safespace@elevate 

Education & training.

Ongoing, engaging education is crucial to fostering safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces.

Our expert facilitators work with clients to develop bespoke face to face and virtual workshops and education packages in the following areas:

  • Respect@Work: Sexual harassment, sex-based harassment, sex discrimination, hostile work environments, bullying and victimisation

  • Leadership training on building safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces

  • Trauma-informed approaches to responding to reports of harmful workplace behaviours

  • Vicarious Trauma management

  • Intersectionality and cultural competence

  • Human rights and anti-discrimination

Our modules are evidence based and regularly reviewed, evaluated and improved to ensure they remain effective and up-to-date.

Workplace investigations.

Trust and accountability are the cornerstones of a respectful and inclusive workplace that is psychologically safe. Responding promptly and appropriately to reports of harmful workplace behaviour is essential in fostering a culture of accountability in which people feel safe to speak up.

Many reports can be resolved internally and informally, to the benefit of all parties involved. There are times, however, where more complex matters require independent investigation. Our team is well-equipped to handle the intricacies of complex matters that require a thorough and impartial investigation.

We conduct workplace investigations for organisations across a range of industries in the private and public sector.

When you engage us you are guaranteed that our investigation process is:

  • independent and impartial

  • timely

  • confidential

  • trauma-informed

  • strictly compliant with procedural fairness

Our expertise in conducting reviews of workplace culture across various industries forms the bedrock of our investigative work. Just as trust and accountability are integral to safe workplaces, they are central to our investigative methodology. We understand the emotional toll that serious incidents can have on individuals. Our experience in interviewing and working with those who have experienced or witnessed misconduct allows us to approach each investigation with empathy and care.

Through investigations, we aim to contribute to and build a workplace culture that values people, transparency, respect and inclusion. By upholding the principles of trust and accountability, we build a path toward resolution that promotes healing, learning and positive change.

Cultural Reviews.

At Elevate Consulting Partners, we conduct person-centred, trauma-informed workplace culture reviews led by recognised leaders in the field using a robust evidence-based methodology. Our expert team brings extensive experience conducting reviews across a range of industries, from government and mining to professional services. We delve deep into the unique dynamics of your organisation, focusing on communication, leadership, engagement, and inclusivity.

By tailoring our approach to your specific needs, we provide actionable insights that align with your values and promote a positive, sustainable workplace culture. Our reviews are designed to help you foster an environment where every individual feels valued and supported, driving long-term success.

Here our Guiding Principles when conducting reviews:

  • Person-Centred Approach: We prioritise the experiences and well-being of individuals within the organization, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Our reviews focus on understanding the human impact of workplace culture, with an emphasis on how it affects employees at all levels.

  • Trauma-Informed Practice: Recognising the potential impact of past experiences, we approach our reviews with sensitivity and care. We create a safe environment for honest feedback, acknowledging and addressing any trauma-related issues that may influence workplace dynamics.

  • Culturally Safe Environment: We are committed to conducting reviews in a manner that respects and honours the cultural identities of all employees. Our approach ensures that diverse cultural perspectives are recognised, valued, and integrated into the review process, fostering a sense of safety and inclusion for everyone.

  • Evidence-Based Methodology: Our approach is grounded in the latest research and best practices in organisational culture. We rely on data-driven insights to guide our analysis, ensuring that our recommendations are both effective and sustainable.

  • Confidentiality and Trust: We understand the importance of building trust throughout the review process. All information shared with us is treated with the utmost confidentiality, fostering an environment where employees feel safe to speak openly.

  • Actionable Insights: Our goal is to provide clear, practical recommendations that can be implemented to drive meaningful change. We focus on solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of your organization, with a commitment to fostering a positive, supportive culture.

  • Collaborative Process: We believe that culture change is a collective effort. Throughout the review process, we work closely with leadership and employees to co-create strategies that align with your organization’s goals and values.

  • Sustainability: Our recommendations are designed to have a lasting impact. We aim to not only address immediate concerns but also to build a foundation for ongoing cultural improvement and long-term success.

Human rights & social justice.

At the heart of our work is a commitment to creating a world where every individual is treated with dignity and respect, and where systemic inequalities are dismantled. To work towards this, our human rights lawyers and policy experts undertake a broad range of projects across a variety of areas in human rights and social justice, including:

  • Research, policy analysis and development: We conduct rigorous research and comprehensive policy analysis to build and inform sustainable policy that can make lasting change.

  • Human rights impact statements: We craft purposeful human rights impact statements that assess the current and potential effects of organisational policies, practices and decisions, with a particular focus on vulnerable and marginalised groups. These statements are powerful tools for organisations to understand their impact and demonstrate their social commitment to workers, stakeholders and communities.

  • Project management: We take a hands-on and involved approach to project management. In keeping with our core commitment to collaboration, we oversee projects that create space for all stakeholders to contribute and have a voice. We ensure every stage of a project is based in best practice human rights and social justice principles, and conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective execution and measurable positive impact.

  • Report writing: Our team has an extensive shared portfolio that includes contributions to numerous reports that shine a light on human rights and social justice causes. We excel at communicating complex, sensitive issues through clear and compelling writing. We are committed to using research to create rich and valuable resources for raising awareness, educating the public and recommending solutions to demanding problems.