Respect at Work Legal Service

Legal Aid NSW statewide specialist service.

The Respect at Work Legal Service (RAWLS) is a specialist statewide service (part of Legal Aid NSW) that provides holistic and trauma-informed legal services to people who have experienced sexual harassment and/or discrimination in the workplace.  

Our lawyers can give all kinds of employment law advice and can provide expert advice about legal options to address workplace sexual harassment and discrimination. If it is safe, and the Client wants to do so, we will try to preserve the relationship between employee and employer.

We also provide community legal education to the public and community workers.

We can help all types of workers, including:

  • full time workers
  • part time workers
  • casual workers
  • government workers
  • contractors
  • volunteers
  • workers on visas
  • people who are applying for jobs

We can help workers who have experienced harassment or discrimination from their employer, from co-workers and also from patrons, patients, or clients who come into the workplace.  

Our priority client groups are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with disabilities, young people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Legal advice and representation
  • free and confidential legal advice by phone, online or face-to-face where possible
  • help with negotiations and resolving disputes early with employers
  • help to make formal complaints to the Australian Human Rights Commission, Anti-Discrimination NSW or Fair Work Commission
  • representation in courts and tribunals
  • referrals to non-legal support services
Community Legal Education

Community Legal Education is the way we educate the community to know their rights and get legal help. We run training sessions for groups, organisations and community workers. We can talk to you or your staff about our work, about sexual harassment and discrimination, what it is and how the law can help.  If you would like us to you or your staff including at team meetings, please contact the RAWLS team below.

Get in touch with the RAWLS team to:

  • find out more about our services
  • refer someone with workplace sexual harassment and discrimination issues for legal help
  • request a community legal education session  
  • share information with us about any key issues, industries or groups we should talk to, or events we can get involved in within your region.

You can contact us by: