YCK Laneways adopts SafeSpace platform for 16 venues

YCK Laneways has implemented the SafeSpace@elevate platform across 16 venues in Sydney to foster safe and respectful hospitality workplaces.

SafeSpace@elevate is a web-based reporting and support service that emphasises psychological safety and is tailored to be person-centred, trauma-informed, and culturally safe. This platform was developed by Prabha Nandagopal, a human rights lawyer and the Founder of Elevate Consulting Partners. Nandagopal has previously served as the Senior Legal Advisor on the Respect@Work National Inquiry and has consulted on several important industry reviews.

The adoption of SafeSpace@elevate by YCK Laneways aims to enhance workplace culture visibility and proactively address potential risks. Vice President of YCK Laneways, Karl Schlothauer, stated, "We are excited to partner with SafeSpace@elevate and offer this initiative to our members, thanks to the ongoing support of our partner, Bacardi Martini Australia. As Australia's first Purple Flag-accredited precinct, it is essential for us to provide a safe, diverse, and inclusive experience for our guests visiting the precinct."

Schlothauer continued, "Equally important is our commitment to extending this support to the people who work within it. What drew YCK to SafeSpace@elevate is not only its complete independence but also the expert support offered to all users of the platform. This expertise will lead to better outcomes for both staff and the business alike."

According to a report by Our Watch, only 54% of women in Australian workplaces are confident of an appropriate workplace response, while a mere 39% are aware of new requirements to prevent workplace sexual harassment. The implementation of SafeSpace@elevate is intended to provide support and visibility for staff from all backgrounds, including those with intersecting identities, ensuring they are both supported and seen.

Nandagopal highlighted the challenges faced by the hospitality industry, stating, "The fast paced, and high pressure nature of the hospitality industry makes it easy for varying forms of harmful workplace behaviour including sexual harassment to slip through the cracks or go unreported. In addition, the composition of the workforce, where leadership teams, typically male-dominated, are in charge of managing teams that often include vulnerable groups such as young workers, migrants and refugees makes the industry more susceptible to damaging outcomes due to power imbalances, culturally unsafe practices, discrimination or unconscious bias."

"To address the unique challenges of the industry, we worked collaboratively to ensure venues managed by YCK Laneways successfully and seamlessly implement the right infrastructure for reporting and response mechanisms, and set clear policies and processes around harassment," Nandagopal said.

The need for proactive measures is underscored by Nandagopal's reference to the Sex Discrimination Act, emphasising the legal obligation of industries to foster a cultural change to protect workers.

Nandagopal added, "Hospitality is known to be a high-risk industry and there is a legal obligation for employers to reshape workplace culture. It's a positive sign to see YCK Laneways leading the way on this critical issue by proactively empowering their workers to speak up. Now is the time for the rest of the industry to come together to make respect, safety and inclusion the norm and collectively strive for industry-wide change."