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The timeframe to raise a personal grievance for sexual harassment will soon increase from 90 days to 12 months, following the final passage through Parliament of the Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for Sexual Harassment) Amendment Bill.
The bill was sponsored by Labour List MP Marja Lubeck, of Mahurangi.
Once it becomes law, all new employment agreements will need to specifically reference the 12 months within which an employee can raise a grievance. The rationale is to allow victims of sexual harassment more time to consider whether they want to bring a personal grievance.
However, the law is not retrospective so will not impact existing agreements.
Lubeck says the bill was an example of collegial law-making, with bipartisan support across the house.
This included Kaipara ki Mahurangi MP Chris Penk who congratulated Lubeck, and the original promoter of the bill, Dr Deborah Russell.
At the third reading, Penk acknowledged the courage of those who had come forward to seek the law change and anyone who in a workplace, or elsewhere, has suffered, at the hands of another person, sexual harassment or similar unacceptable behaviour.
“It goes without saying that such behaviour is unacceptable, and in addition to passing this specific law, the House condemns such behaviour in no uncertain terms,” he said.
Lubeck said many harrowing stories had surfaced during the bill’s progress into law.
“Coming forward to report sexual harassment can be difficult, and it is common for victims of sexual harassment to wait a long time before coming forward,” she said.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe at work, and it is important employees have time to consider what has occurred and feel safe to raise it with others.”
Lubeck previously successfully lobbied, through the Private Members Bill process, to end conversion therapy.
She is not contesting the October election and will give her valedictory speech in Parliament on August 15.
