Consent

People can perceive behaviours differently. What one person thinks of as a light-hearted comment could have a negative impact on someone in the workplace. Consent means the person fully and freely agrees to engage in the conduct, comment, display, action or gesture.

Consent can never be implied.

• The fact that someone is or was in a relationship with another person in the workplace does not mean that they consent to certain conduct from that person.
• Having previously consented to something does not mean that the person consents to the same activity or other activities in the future.
• The way a person is dressed or has acted does not mean they have consented to certain conduct.

Consent must be freely given.

• Individuals in the workplace holding positions of authority must consider if the person is just going along with it because they do not want to negatively impact their job.

Consent is reversible.

• People can change their mind at any time for any reason about whether they agree to certain behaviours.

The person engaging in the conduct is responsible for determining if there is consent. Not objecting to the behaviour does not mean there has been consent.